FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the appointment of a special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: As my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary informed the House earlier, we understand the need to have in place a UN special representative able to undertake with real authority the co-ordination of the international effort to improve Afghan security and reconstruction. We are talking to the United Nations and working towards the appointment of a special representative as a matter of urgency.
	The appointment is a matter for the UN Secretary-General. His spokesperson said on 8 February that work was ongoing. We hope an early appointment will be made, to allow more effective co-ordination of the international effort.

Kenya

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in Kenya.

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress in resolving the political situation in Kenya.

Meg Munn: The Government welcome the progress made by the Kenyan Government and the opposition in negotiations under the mediation of Kofi Annan. We urge Kenya's leaders to establish the basis for a lasting solution.

Kenya

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Kofi Annan on political mediation in Kenya.

Meg Munn: My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch Brown, has had regular conversations with Kofi Annan. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the mediation process with Kofi Annan on 8 February and reaffirmed our support for his work and for a sustainable outcome for the Kenyan people.

Kosovo

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Kosovo.

David Miliband: On 17 February the Kosovo Parliamentary Assembly passed a resolution that declared Kosovo independent, committing Kosovo to fully implement UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari's Comprehensive Proposal, including extensive minority safeguards and international supervision.
	The UK has decided to recognise Kosovo's independence and establish diplomatic relations. Thus far we understand that at least 18 countries have indicated their intention to recognise Kosovo. We anticipate more will do so shortly.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United Nations on the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Zimbabwe during the UN General Assembly in September 2007. He underlined the need for UN action to support African leadership and to tackle economic and social devastation in Zimbabwe. Our embassy in Harare holds regular discussions with the UN Development Programme office there regarding human rights, democracy and good governance.

India

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with India.

Kim Howells: The UK enjoys a strategic partnership with India and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's recent visit to New Delhi further strengthened this partnership, when progress was made on a range of bilateral and wider international issues.

Middle East Peace Process

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking in support of the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government support the political, economic and security elements of the peace process. We are committed to taking forward the Annapolis process to achieve a two-state solution. In support of the Palestinian economy, we committed up to £243 million over three years, linked to political progress. We will co-sponsor the Bethlehem Private Investors Conference and host the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in London. We are contributing to security sector reform.

Middle East Peace Process

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of suicide bombings in the middle east on the peace process.

Kim Howells: The UK condemns suicide bombing. The attack in Dimona on 4 February was the first in Israel for 12 months. Terrorist atrocities must never deflect us from our goal of just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. The UK continues to support leaders whose commitments at Annapolis and since have given Palestinians and Israelis the best chance of progress in seven years.

Burma

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Burma.

Meg Munn: The Government are deeply concerned at the continued lack of progress towards democracy in Burma. On 9 February the Burmese regime announced its intention to hold a referendum on a new constitution in May this year and elections in 2010. However, if any process is to lead to national reconciliation, all stakeholders must be allowed to participate and political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, must be freed.

Pakistan

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political progress in Pakistan.

Kim Howells: Parliamentary and provincial elections took place in Pakistan yesterday. It was an important opportunity for the people of Pakistan to exercise their democratic voice.
	The UK took part in the EU election observation mission, which is still working in Pakistan. We expect that it will give its preliminary assessment on the election process tomorrow.

Iran

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Iran's nuclear capability.

Kim Howells: Iran is pursuing enrichment activities and heavy water projects in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions requiring it to suspend those activities and reprocessing. Their realisation would give Iran the capability to produce nuclear weapons. Iran's development of these technologies is not necessary for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. If Iran suspends its proliferation activities, the E3+3 will negotiate a long-term agreement that would transform the international community's relationship with Iran.

Hamas

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the policy of the Quartet is on talks with Hamas.

Kim Howells: The policy of the Quartet on engagement with Hamas remains based on its three Quartet principles: non-violence; recognition of Israel; and acceptance of previous agreements, including the road map. These principles are not set unreasonably high and remain the fundamental conditions for a viable peace process. We hope that Hamas will accept the principles and grasp the opportunity for dialogue and progress.

The Balkans

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in the Balkans.

Jim Murphy: I refer the right hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara) today (UIN 186594).
	The UK recognises how difficult Kosovo's independence is for Serbia. But we believe that it is in Serbia's long-term interest.
	Having closed this final chapter in the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, we are determined to support a peaceful and prosperous region moving towards a sustainable, stable European future.

Bilateral Relations

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on strengthening relations between the UK and China.

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's recent visit to China strengthened UK-China relations. As a result of his visit a new trade target was announced; new areas of co-operation on climate change, sustainable cities, education, health, science and Olympics links.

British Overseas Territories: Administration of Justice

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards exist against the arbitrary dismissal of chief justices in overseas territories which are compliant with European Convention of Human Rights and other international norms and treaty obligations; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: There are chief justices in the following Overseas Territories: Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands (including South Georgia), Gibraltar, St. Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The procedures concerning the dismissal of the chief justices in the Overseas Territories are set out in their constitutions. These procedures provide protection against arbitrary dismissal and are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and other international norms and treaty obligations.

Burundi: Elections

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take to support the elections scheduled for 2010 in Burundi.

Meg Munn: The Government will work to ensure that the conditions and resources are in place for holding peaceful, free and fair elections in 2010. With UN Peacebuilding Commission partners, we are urging that international expertise and resources be put in place for establishing an independent electoral commission. We expect the European Commission to include Burundi in its election monitoring and assistance work. Successful elections would promote peace and stability in Burundi.

Chad: France

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with French authorities on their intervention in Chad.

Meg Munn: The UK has worked through multilateral fora, namely the United Nations and the European Union, to discuss the international response to the rebel incursions in Chad, and to work towards longer term solutions. These discussions have included the French authorities, along with other international partners.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, on 11 February to discuss, among other topics, the situation in Chad and to thank him for his country's help in evacuating British nationals from N'Djamena. He was also contacted by Mr. Kouchner over the weekend of 2/3 February regarding Chad. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have been in regular contact with French Foreign Ministry officials concerning Chad, particularly regarding the evacuation of British nationals.

Chad: Peace Negotiations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government are giving to the African Union's mediation efforts in Chad through  (a) Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and  (b) Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meg Munn: The Government are fully supportive of the African Union's efforts to find lasting solutions to the conflict in Chad and welcomes the appointment of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville as mediators.
	The UK supported the UN Security Council presidential statement of 4 February 2008, which gave backing to the mediators. The UN statement also echoed the African Union in
	"strongly condemning the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against the Chadian government, demanding to put an immediate end to the violence and calling on all the countries of the region to respect the unity and territorial integrity of the member states of the African Union".

Chad: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment has been made of  (a) the security situation in Chad and  (b) the impact on the deployment of the EUFOR operation for Chad and the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The security situation in Chad remains unstable following rebel incursions into the capital, N'Djamena, on 2 February. As of 11 February 2008, the security situation in Chad is calmer, with Chadian rebel groups having retreated from N'Djamena. However, conditions on the ground have been changing rapidly. The UN estimates that over 30,000 people were forced to flee into neighbouring Cameroon as a result of the fighting, though many are now returning. There have been eye-witness reports of widespread looting in N'Djamena.
	Deployment of the European Union mission to Chad (EUFOR), was delayed temporarily due to fighting in western Chad. However, Lieutenant General Nash, the EUFOR operation commander, indicated on 7 February that deployment could recommence with immediate effect. The EU agreed on 8 February that the mission should resume deployment, but agreed also to follow closely the evolution of the situation in relation to the mission.

China: Sudan

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent to which the policy of the Government of China towards Sudan is in alignment with British policy towards that country, with particular reference to the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: holding answer 18 February 2008
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agreed with Chinese Premier Wen, when they met during the UK-China Summit from 18-19 January, that both countries were keen to see a resolution to the Darfur conflict. Following their meeting, the Chinese Premier called on the parties to the conflict in Darfur to "realise a complete ceasefire in Darfur and reach a comprehensive peace agreement through negotiation".
	When I visit China later this month I will continue to encourage China to use its influence in Khartoum to work for a solution to the Darfur conflict and support implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We have also agreed with China that the Special Representatives of China and the UK on Darfur will work together for the early realisation of peace, stability and development in Darfur.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Detainees

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the detention of  (a) Major Mbokolo Wawa,  (b) Captain Kawende and  (c) Pastor Fernando Kutino.

Meg Munn: The UN's mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is in contact with the Congolese authorities regarding the detention of Major Mbokolo Wawa and Captain Kawende. We have not made representations on this issue ourselves.
	We and our international partners in the DRC, including the EU and UN, have registered our concerns at the conduct of the investigation and subsequent trial of Pastor Kutino with the Congolese on several occasions. The UN is in regular contact with the Congolese authorities on the issue of his treatment.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Prisoners

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the treatment of detainees and prisoners in government-controlled areas of that country.

Meg Munn: We have called on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities to respect international humanitarian law and human rights conventions. The UK remains in close contact on human rights issues with the UN mission in the DRC and with EU partners, through the local EU human rights forum. The UK supported the EU presidency's call in August 2007 for the DRC to meet its human rights obligations. We will continue to urge the DRC to uphold international human rights standards, including the treatment of people in custody.
	The UK makes a significant contribution to the EU's programme on security sector reform in the DRC. One of the aims of this project is to promote accountability and awareness of human rights among members of the DRC's armed forces and its security and justice sectors.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisors

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Meg Munn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) on 14 January,  Official Report, column 852W.

Departmental Public Relations

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many external contracts his Department held with public relations companies in each of the last 10 years; and what the total cost of those contracts was.

Meg Munn: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) contracts and the resultant expenditure specifically for public relations, are not categorised separately from that for external consultancy as a whole. The information the hon. Member requests could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, annual expenditure on external consultants or consultancies as a whole, is published in the FCO's annual departmental reports, copies of which are available on the FCO website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029395438

Departmental Publications

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public information booklets were published by his Department in 2007; and what the  (a) print run and  (b) cost to the Department was in each case.

Meg Munn: During calendar year 2007, the following public information booklets were published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) centrally.
	The following table shows the numbers of copies and the overall cost of the publication.
	
		
			  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Directorate/Department  Name of Publication  Print Run  Costs  (£) 
			 Communication Directorate 'FCO Departmental Report 2006' 1,400 40,493 
			 Communication Directorate 'Your World' 5,016 8,300 
			 Communication Directorate 'Stern Report Executive Summary' English—8,500 66,075 
			   French—1,250  
			   Spanish—1,750  
			   Portuguese—325  
			   Czech—500  
			   Slovak—500  
			   Chinese (Traditional)—800  
			   Hungarian—300  
			   Japanese—1,000  
			   Indonesian—1,000  
			   Brazilian Portuguese—750  
			 Communication Directorate 'Muslims in Britain' 3,000 3,028 
			 Consular Directorate 'Victims of Crime' 10,000 2,206 
			 Consular Directorate 'International Child Abduction' 10,000 1,385 
			 Consular Directorate 'Transfers Home' 10,000 1,580 
			 Consular Directorate 'Checklist for Travellers' 4 million 36,200 
			 Consular Directorate 'Support for British Nationals (summary)' 700,000 34,994 
			 Consular Directorate 'Child Abduction' 10,000 1,350 
			 Consular Directorate 'Passport to Extreme Fun' 20,000 4,944 
			 Consular Directorate 'Rape and Sexual Assault' 10,000 2,100 
			 European Union Directorate 'Guide to the EU'—Welsh 1,000 2,439 
			 Human Rights Department 'Annual Report on Human Rights 2006' 400 2,750 
		
	
	The FCOs overseas posts and its non-departmental public bodies also occasionally commission public information booklets, but details are not recorded centrally.
	Information about the costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Diplomatic Service: Complaints

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many formal complaints British ambassadors have lodged with host countries since March 2006; and what those complaints were.

Meg Munn: This information is not held centrally. Responsibility for protests and other diplomatic communications to Ministries of Foreign Affairs is devolved to embassies. Compiling this information would be disproportionately costly.

Ethiopia: Terrorism

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will offer technical support to the government of Ethiopia in developing its internal security infrastructure as part of its attempts to tackle international terrorism.

Meg Munn: Where suitable opportunities arise and we are satisfied that human rights concerns are being met, we remain interested in assisting Ethiopia to develop its internal security infrastructure in order to tackle international terrorism.

EU Grants and Loans: Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records his Department holds of grants given to UK trade unions by institutions of the European Union since 1997.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold the information requested. This information could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.

Homosexuality

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to other countries on the decriminalisation of homosexuality in those countries where it is illegal.

Meg Munn: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials have been active in promoting and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in line with UK international policy. This is especially important in countries where same sex relationships are illegal, or there are moves to introduce criminalisation, where we seek ways to raise the issue and lobby for decriminalisation.
	In May 2007, the then Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) and I, as the then Minister for Women and Equality, issued a joint statement pledging our support for the worldwide protests against homophobia planned to mark the International Day against Homophobia (17 May).
	Our High Commissioner in Singapore made representations to Singapore's Attorney-General on 26 October 2007 about various human rights issues, including the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
	The UK has long been at the forefront of encouraging the EU to speak out in favour of promoting and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. At the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in September 2007, the EU condemned the fact that relationships between adults of the same sex are criminal in two participating states, namely Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The EU also called on all participating states to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people without discrimination.
	Over the last year we have lobbied in support of the UN-Economic and Social Council continuing to grant consultative status to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered non-governmental organisations and we also lobbied to persuade Rwanda not to criminalise same sex acts in the revised penal code, and Nigeria not to outlaw advocacy in favour of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered rights.

Indonesia: Censorship

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Indonesia on the banning and seizure of the book The Sinking of the Melanesian Race: The Political Struggle in West Papua, by West Papuan academic, Sendius Wonda.

Meg Munn: The human rights situation in Indonesia has improved over the last 10 years and we judge that the government remains committed to further progress, as indicated by its 2006 accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. We recognise that challenges remain and our embassy in Jakarta closely follows the situation in Papua, particularly concerning civil society work on human rights and freedom of expression. We will continue to encourage the Indonesian government to respect their international obligations in this regard. We remain firm in our commitment to freedom of expression, but do not believe that making representations to the Indonesian government on incidents such as the banning of Sendius Wonda's book would be as effective as the wide-ranging engagement we have with Indonesia on human rights.

Papua: Armed Conflict

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his European Union counterparts the prospects for EU-sponsored dialogue between West Papuan leaders and the government of Indonesia on a peaceful resolution to the conflict in West Papua.

Meg Munn: We continue to encourage EU engagement in promoting human rights in Indonesia, but we have not discussed any plans for EU-sponsored dialogue between Papuan leaders and the central government in Jakarta. We believe that the complex issues in Papua can best be resolved through peaceful dialogue between the people of Papua and the government of Indonesia. The Indonesian President has committed his government to improving the situation in Papua, which we welcome.
	We continue to encourage all sides to support meaningful dialogue and to focus on fully implementing the existing special autonomy legislation. We judge that this is the best way to ensure the long-term stability and development of Papua and its people.

Russia: Crime

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent conversations he has had with his Russian counterpart on cyber crime perpetrated against British citizens and originating in Russia.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 18 February 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Secretary of State for the Home Department has had no conversations with her counterparts in Russia regarding cyber crime.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) troops and  (b) other personnel are based in Darfur as part of the UNAMID force; and when he expects the UNAMID force to reach its full complement.

David Miliband: holding answer 18 February 2008
	At present, the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur consists of a total of approximately 10,000 personnel: 7,700 military personnel, 1,500 police and 800 civilian staff. This needs to rise to a total of approximately 31,000 for the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur to reach its full complement: 19,500 troops, 6,500 police, and 5,000 civilian staff, both local and international.
	We are working very closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union to help achieve the goal of full deployment as soon as practicable. This will be extremely challenging as not all outstanding shortfalls, particularly helicopter capacity, have yet been filled. The UN-African Union Mission in Darfur's deployment to Darfur is one of the most complex and logistically difficult that the UN has ever undertaken.

Treaty of Lisbon

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what competencies will be transferred from the UK to the EU under the Treaty of Lisbon.

Jim Murphy: The changes to the competences of the EU to be made by the Lisbon treaty were set out in the White Paper (Cm 7174) 'The Reform Treaty: The British Approach to the European Union Intergovernmental Conference' of July 2007, as well as the Explanatory Memorandum on the treaty of Lisbon submitted to Parliament on 17 December 2007.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

A Levels: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils in receipt of free school meals gained three A grades at A-level in mainstream maintained schools in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not hold information on the achievement of pupils in receipt of free schools meals. Instead, the figures relating to pupils eligible for free school meals are given.
	In 2006/07, 176 pupils eligible for free school meals in mainstream maintained schools achieved three A grades at A level. This was 3.9 per cent. of the pupils eligible for free school meals.
	These figures relate to pupils aged 16 to 18, (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August 2006), in all maintained mainstream schools including academies and city technology colleges.

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what changes there have been to his Department's projection for the number of academies to be opened by the end of each of the next five financial years since inception of the programme; and what the reasons are for those changes.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to my reply given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 152W.

Academies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families for which academies  (a) expressions of interest and  (b) feasibility studies have been received since 1 May 2007; who the proposed (i) lead sponsor and (ii) co-sponsors are in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: 35 academies have completed feasibility studies since 1 May 2007 and have progressed to the implementation phase. 32 expressions of interest have been received since 1 May 2007 and feasibility studies have commenced for these proposals. A further three academy proposals have commenced feasibility studies without an expression of interest because they were selected by a local authority competition.
	Tables 1, 2 and 3 show the lead sponsors and co-sponsors for each of these proposals.
	
		
			  Table 1: Feasibility studies received since 1 May 2007 
			   Local authority  Academy name( 1)  Sponsor  Co-sponsor 
			 1 Bristol The Bristol Brunel Academy John Cabot Academy — 
			 2 Bristol Oasis Academy Oasis Community Learning — 
			 3 Coventry Grace Academy Bob Edmiston — 
			 4 Croydon Harris City Academy, Crystal Palace Harris Federation of South London Schools Trust — 
			 5 Darlington Eastbourne Church of England Academy Diocese of Durham and David and Anne Crossland — 
			 6 Kent New Line Learning Academy, South Maidstone Federation Cornwallis Online Learning, Kent CC and others tbc — 
			 7 Kent TBC (Cornwallis), South Maidstone Federation Cornwallis Online Learning, Kent CC and others tbc — 
			 8 Kent Marsh Academy Kent County Council Microsoft/Tonbridge School 
			 9 Kent Spires Academy Holiday Extras/Crown Products (Kent) Ltd. — 
			 10 Lambeth Evelyn Grace Academy Ark — 
			 11 Luton Barnfield South Academy Barnfield College Further Education Corporation — 
			 12 Luton Barnfield West Academy Barnfield College Further Education Corporation — 
			 13 Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Edge Foundation — 
			 14 North East Lincolnshire Havelock Academy David Ross — 
			 15 Northamptonshire Brooke Weston Academy Brooke Weston CTC Trust — 
			 16 Northumberland Bede Academy Emmanuel Schools Foundation — 
			 17 Nottingham Nottingham University Samworth Academy University Of Nottingham and David Samworth (TBC) — 
			 18 Nottingham Nottingham Bulwell Academy Edge Foundation — 
			 19 Nottinghamshire The Samworth Church Academy David Samworth and Diocesan of Southwell and Nottingham — 
			 20 Oxfordshire North Oxfordshire Academy UCST (Vodafone) — 
			 21 Rochdale St. Anne's Academy The Manchester Diocese and David and Anne Crossland — 
			 22 Sandwell Shireland Collegiate Academy Ormiston Trust and Shireland Learning — 
			 23 Sandwell George Salter Collegiate Academy Ormiston Trust and Shirefand Learning — 
			 24 Sandwell Q3 Academy Eric Payne — 
			 25 South Gloucestershire John Cabot Academy Rolls Royce/Wolfson Foundation — 
			 26 Southwark Bacon's, A Church of England Sponsored Academy CTC Trust, Southwark Diosesan Board of Education and the Phillip and Pauline Harris Charitable Trust — 
			 27 Southwark St. Michael and All Angels CofE Southwark Diocesan Board of Education Toc H 
			 28 Southwark Walworth Academy Ark — 
			 29 Southwark The Globe Academy Ark — 
			 30 Sunderland Pennywell/Quarry View Academy Gentoo Group Sunderland CC 
			 31 Sunderland Red House Academy Leighton Group with University of Sunderland Sunderland CC 
			 32 Sunderland Castle View Enterprise Academy Northumbrian Water Sunderland CC 
			 33 Swindon Swindon Academy UCST (Honda UK) — 
			 34 Tameside New Charter Academy New Charter Housing Trust — 
			 35 Westminster King Solomon Academy Ark — 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Expressions of interest received since 1 May 2007 
			   Local authority  Academy name( 1)  Sponsor  Co-sponsor 
			 1 Bexley TBC (New School) Haberdashers and Temple Grove Trust — 
			 2 Birmingham Heartlands Academy Edutrust — 
			 3 Birmingham Shenley Court Edutrust — 
			 4 Birmingham St. Alban's Academy ARK/Aston University/BMW/Cadbury's/Ove Arup — 
			 5 Birmingham Harborne Academy ARK/KPMG/University of Birmingham — 
			 6 Birmingham Eastside Academy Ormiston Trust + UCE (Tbc) — 
			 7 Bolton TBC (Withins) Diocese of Manchester (Church of England) Anne and David Crossland 
			 8 Brent Wembley Park Academy ARK — 
			 9 Bristol Colston's Girls The Society of Merchant Venturers — 
			 10 Bristol Portway Academy Oasis — 
			 11 Bristol Bristol Cathedral School No Sponsor Required: School itself is the sponsor — 
			 12 Cheshire TBC North Area Academy (Whitby High School Cheshire Oaks High School and Ellesmere Port School) Diocese of Chester and David and Anne Crossland — 
			 13 Cheshire TBC South Area Academy (Whitby High School Cheshire Oaks High School and Etlesmere Port School) University of Chester/West Cheshire College/LA/Diocese of Chester — 
			 14 Croydon TBC (Coulsden) Oasis Learning Trust — 
			 15 Cumbria TBC (Morton) Brian Scowcroft and Andrew Tinkler — 
			 16 Cumbria Westlakes Academy BNFL/Sellafield, NDA and the University of Lancashire — 
			 17 Derbyshire TBC (Shirebrook) All Roads DLO/Sheffield Hallam University (TBC) — 
			 18 Essex Rickstones Greensward College — 
			 19 Essex Greensward Greensward College — 
			 20 Essex John Bramston Greensward College — 
			 21 Gloucester TBC (Christ College) Clifton RC Diocese + Gloucester CoE Diocese — 
			 22 Kent Axtane Academy Leigh Technology Academy Trust, University of Kent KCC 
			 23 Kingston upon Hull Archbishop Sentamu Academy Diocese of York — 
			 24 Kingston upon Hull The Pickering Academy Hull College — 
			 25 Lancashire Accrington ULT — 
			 26 Northamptonshire Brooke Weston Academy Brooke Weston CTC Trust — 
			 27 Nottingham TBC (St. Ann's/Eastern) Greenwood Dale Experian (Business Supporter) 
			 28 Tameside Droylsden Academy Tameside College — 
			 29 West Sussex TBC (Kings Manor Community College) Woodard Schools — 
			 30 West Sussex TBC (Boundstone) Woodard Schools — 
			 31 West Sussex TBC (Littlehampton) Woodard Schools — 
			 32 Westminster Pimlico Academy FUTURE — 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Academy proposals from local authority competitions since 1 May 2007 
			   Local authority  Academy name( 1)  Sponsor  Co-sponsor 
			 1 Lincolnshire Trent Valley Academy Edutrust/Gainsborough Education Village — 
			 2 Southampton Oasis Academy Mayfield Oasis Community Learning — 
			 3 Southampton Oasis Academy Lords Hill Oasis Community Learning — 
			 (1) Predecessor school if academy has not yet been named.

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities have agreed co-sponsorship arrangements under the academies programme.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to my reply given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 15 November 2007,  Official Report, column 409W.

Academies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities have agreed to co-sponsor academies; and on which date each made the agreement.

Jim Knight: The following local authorities have agreed to co-sponsor academies:
	Cheshire county council
	Corporation of London
	Coventry city council
	Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	Kent county council
	Manchester city council
	Sunderland city council
	Telford and Wrekin council
	West Sussex county council.
	The following table shows which academies these local authorities are sponsoring and the date that the Expression of Interest was signed.
	
		
			  Local authority  Academy name (predecessor school if academy not yet named)  EOI agreed 
			 Cheshire TBC (Whitby High School, Cheshire Oaks High School and Ellesmere Port School) 25 July 2007 
			 Corporation of London City of London KPMG Academy 20 March 2006 
			 Corporation of London City of London Academy 20 April 2006 
			 Corporation of London City of London Southwark Academy 1 March 2001 
			 Coventry Swanswell 30 January 2007 
			 Kensington and Chelsea The Chelsea Science Academy 1 January 2005 
			 Kent Marlowe Academy 1 November 2002 
			 Kent Isle of Sheppey 13 March 2006 
			 Kent Marsh Academy 13 March 2006 
			 Kent TBC (Cornwallis), South Maidstone Federation 1 March 2007 
			 Kent New Line Learning Academy, South Maidstone Federation 1 March 2007 
			 Manchester Digital Communications Academy 22 March 2007 
			 Manchester Construction and the Built Environment Academy 18 December 2006 
			 Manchester Creative Media Academy—Girls 22 March 2007 
			 Manchester Creative Media Academy—Boys 22 March 2007 
			 Manchester Finance and Professional Service Academy 22 March 2007 
			 Manchester Business Enterprise Academy 18 December 2006 
			 Manchester Health Academy 18 December 2006 
			 Sunderland Pennywell/Quarry View Academy 8 June 2006 
			 Sunderland Castle View Enterprise Academy 8 June 2006 
			 Sunderland Red House Academy 8 June 2006 
			 Telford and Wrekin Abraham Darby Academy 11 April 2007 
			 West Sussex TBC (Littlehampton Community School) 26 July 2007 
			 West Sussex TBC (Boundstone Community College) 26 July 2007 
			 West Sussex TBC (Kings Manor Community College) 26 July 2007

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which schools have started construction under the Building Schools for the Future programme, broken down by  (a) local authority area and  (b) parliamentary constituency.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the schools which have started construction under the Building Schools for the Future programme broken down by local authority and parliamentary constituency.
	
		
			  School  Local authority  Parliamentary constituency 
			 Salt Bradford Shipley 
			 Tong Bradford Bradford South 
			 Buttershaw Bradford Bradford South 
			 Whitefield Bristol Bristol East 
			 Brislington Bristol Bristol East 
			 Hartcliffe Bristol Bristol South 
			 Durham Johnston Durham Durham 
			 Ilfield SEN Kent Gravesham 
			 St. Edmund Canterbury Knowsley Knowsley South 
			 Halewood Knowsley Knowsley South 
			 Prescott Knowsley Knowsley South 
			 Michael Tippet SEN Lambeth Vauxhall 
			 Elm Court SEN Lambeth Dulwich and West Norwood 
			 Park Campus PRU Lambeth Streatham 
			 West Norwood (temporary) Lambeth Dulwich and West Norwood 
			 Shuttleworth Lancashire Burnley 
			 Burnley Sixth form Lancashire Burnley 
			 Pendle Vale Lancashire Pendle 
			 Pendle Vale SEN Lancashire Pendle 
			 Sir John Thursby Lancashire Burnley 
			 Ridgewood Community High SEN Lancashire Burnley 
			 Allerton High Leeds Leeds North East 
			 Cockburn Leeds Leeds Central 
			 Pudsey Grangefield Leeds Pudsey 
			 Rodillian Leeds Morley and Rothwell 
			 Temple Moor High Leeds Leeds East 
			 Allerton Grange Leeds Leeds North East 
			 Beaumont Leys Leicester Leicester West 
			 Fullhurst Leicester Leicester West 
			 Judgemeadow Leicester Leicester East 
			 Soar Valley Leicester Leicester East 
			 Sedgehill Lewisham Lewisham West 
			 Catford Lewisham Lewisham East 
			 Melland SEN Manchester Manchester Gorton 
			 Cedar Mount Manchester Manchester Gorton 
			 Newall Green Manchester Wythenshawe and Sale East 
			 St. Pauls Manchester Wythenshawe and Sale East 
			 Piper Hill SEN Manchester Wythenshawe and Sale East 
			 Our Lady's (RC) Manchester Manchester Blackley 
			 St. Matthew's (RC) Manchester Manchester Blackley 
			 Meade Hill SEN Manchester Manchester Blackley 
			 Northridge High Manchester Manchester Blackley 
			 Walbottle Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne North 
			 Kenton Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne North 
			 Thomas Bewick SEN Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne North 
			 Benfield Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne and Wallsend 
			 Newfield Sheffield Sheffield Heeley 
			 Silverdale Sheffield Sheffield Hallam 
			 Talbot SEN Sheffield Sheffield Heeley 
			 Yewlands Sheffield Sheffield Brightside 
			 Lanchester SEN Solihull Meriden 
			 Park Hall Solihull Meriden 
			 The Archbishop Grimshaw (RC) Solihull Meriden 
			 Smith's Wood Solihull Meriden 
			 Frederick Bremer Waltham Forest Walthamstow 
			 Kelmscott Waltham Forest Walthamstow

Capita

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what meetings  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) officials have held with (i) directors and (ii) senior executives of (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2001; what the (1) location and (2) duration of each meeting was; whether a record of each meeting was kept; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not the usual practice of Government to disclose details of such meetings.

Care Proceedings: Fees and Charges

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to change the charging procedures for local authorities paying court fees before they can issue proceedings to take a child into care.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministry of Justice is taking steps to minimise the administrative cost to local authorities of paying magistrates court fees (not just for care proceedings). Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) is developing a new payment system that should mean local authorities will be able to set up accounts with magistrates courts allowing them to pay all court fees incurred by single monthly or quarterly payments. In addition we are currently consulting on proposals to increase court fees paid by public authorities in child care and adoption proceedings to reflect the full cost of the process. The consultation closes on 11 March 2008.

Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many times the Children's Plan expert groups have met; and if he will publish the minutes and attendance lists of each meeting.

Beverley Hughes: Between their inception in September 2007 and the publication of the Children's Plan in December 2007, each of the three age-based Children's Plan expert groups met three times as a group; there was one additional meeting which brought together all three expert groups in a plenary session in November 2007.
	Lists of the original expert group members are published as annexes to the expert group reports, which are available on the DCSF Time to Talk website. Attendance lists were not published. Group discussions were held in confidence and minutes not published, as they relate to formulation and development of government policy and free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he proposes to publish the implementation documents referred to in the Children's Plan.

Beverley Hughes: The Children's Plan lists a number of documents due to be published during 2008. The intended timings were set out in the plan or in accompanying press notices and are:
	Child Health Strategy, spring;
	Obesity Action Plan, already published as 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' in January;
	Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, summer;
	Play Strategy, summer;
	Staying Safe: Action Plan, published in February;
	Byron review, March;
	Rose review of the Primary curriculum, interim report due in October, final report by March 2009;
	Review of progress on special educational needs due to take place in 2009;
	Bercow review on children, young people and speech, language and communication, interim report due spring, final report by summer;
	Review of progress on implementation of Steer report, by summer;
	Youth Task Force Action Plan, spring;
	Drugs Strategy, spring;
	Youth Grime Action Plan, during 2008;
	Children's Workforce Action Plan, spring.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service: Finance

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the budget for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service will be in financial years  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and  (c) 2009-10.

Kevin Brennan: The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) has been initially allocated the following net amounts:
	
		
			   Funding (£ million) 
			 2007-08 106.7 
			 2008-09 114.9 
			 2009-10 124.1

Children in Care

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average time was that children waited in local authority care to be placed  (a) with a foster parent or parents and  (b) with a parent or parents for adoption in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested on the average time a child waited in local authority care to be placed with foster parents is not collected centrally.
	The average time between the date it was decided that a looked after child should be placed for adoption and the actual date the child was placed for adoption, was nine months in the year ending March 2007, the latest year for which data is available.

Children in Care: Health Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what percentage of looked after children in each local authority area received the immunisations appropriate for their age group in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what percentage of looked after children in each local authority area received a health assessment from their primary care trust on an annual basis in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  what percentage of looked after children in each local authority area received a dental check on an annual basis in the latest period for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 16 January 2008
	Improving the health and well-being of looked after children is of paramount importance, Children in care are more likely to experience health problems, particularly mental health problems, than their peers and it is important that more is done to meet their needs.
	Our White Paper 'Care Matters: Time for Change' set out how this is a priority for the Government. It outlined a strong package of measures intended to ensure that we improve health outcomes for this vulnerable group of young people, including by ensuring better joint working between local authorities and health care bodies. For the first time guidance on promoting the health of looked after children will be put on a statutory footing for both local authorities and health bodies.
	The available information about the health care of looked after children has been placed in the House Libraries.

Children: Accidents

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that children are taught about managing risk and staying safe to prevent accidents and accidental injury;
	(2)  what guidance has been given to local children's services on measures to reduce incidence of accidental injury among young people;
	(3)  if he will take steps to  (a) identify best practice in child accident prevention and  (b) ensure that information on effective measures is shared between local safeguarding boards.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 The Department has worked across Government to co-ordinate the cross-Government Staying Safe Action Plan which was published on 5 February 2008. The report can be downloaded from www.ecm.aov.uk/stayingsafe and a copy is available in the House Library. In the Staying Safe Action Plan, we set out new commitments to help children, young people and their parents understand better the risks to their safety, including from accidental injury. These include the establishment of a Child Safety Education Coalition to deliver and evaluate child safety education across the country and ensure that more children, including disabled children, are taught about how to manage risk. We also announced new guidance for professionals on common risks in the home as well as a Priority Review of local accidental prevention. These new measures will help to identify and share good practice in accident prevention work between local areas.
	My Department issued guidance to schools, "Safety Education Guidance for Schools", in December 2001 This guidance sets out responsibilities for safety education and National Curriculum requirements, recommends approaches to teaching and learning, and provides examples of good practice. It is for schools to determine exactly how they provide safety education.
	The effectiveness of these measures will be assessed by the public service agreement to improve children and young people's safety, which was announced in October 2007.

Children: Behaviour Disorders

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were assessed as having behavioural difficulties in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: Information on pupils having behavioural, emotional or social difficulties identified as their primary need in maintained primary and secondary schools and all special schools in London local authorities is given in the following table for 2006 and 2007, the only years for which these data are available at local authority level. This information can be found in two SFRs, available on the Department's website here via the following links:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000661/index.shtml and
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000732/index.shtml
	
		
			  Number of pupils in all schools( 1)  with statements of SEN or at School Action Plus having behavioural, emotional and social difficulties( 2,3) , January 2006 and 2007, London local authorities 
			   2006  2007 
			 London(4) 22,320 23,340 
			
			 Inner London(4) 8,950 9,150 
			 Camden 672 682 
			 City of London 8 7 
			 Hackney 643 634 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 348 481 
			 Haringey 529 533 
			 Islington 570 531 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 150 140 
			 Lambeth 1,255 1,301 
			 Lewisham 686 753 
			 Newham 778 828 
			 Southwark 1,248 1,123 
			 Tower Hamlets 698 743 
			 Wandsworth 1,040 996 
			 Westminster 328 404 
			
			 Outer London(4) 13,370 14,180 
			 Barking and Dagenham 406 447 
			 Barnet 953 985 
			 Bexley 667 724 
			 Brent 769 769 
			 Bromley 771 877 
			 Croydon 1,125 1,307 
			 Baling 866 907 
			 Enfield 1,111 1,173 
			 Greenwich 1,089 1,061 
			 Harrow 607 675 
			 Havering 361 382 
			 Hillingdon 533 567 
			 Hounslow 819 796 
			 Kingston upon Thames 366 375 
			 Merton 439 426 
			 Redbridge 569 633 
			 Richmond upon Thames 269 293 
			 Sutton 460 566 
			 Waltham Forest 1,192 1,219 
			 (1) Includes maintained primary and secondary schools and all special schools.  (2) Pupils at School Action Plus and those pupils with a statement of SEN having behavioural, emotional and social difficulties identified as their primary need or, if appropriate, their secondary need. Information on primary need only is given here.  (3) Excludes dually registered pupils.  (4) Regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 10.   Source:  School Census.

Children: Databases

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the security of the eCaf system;
	(2)  what assessment he has been made of the effectiveness of the interchange of information between ContactPoint and eCaf;
	(3)  what consultation took place on eCaf with the consultees of ContactPoint.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 22 November 2007
	Security measures are a fundamental component of the national eCaf system design and all proposed security requirements have been reviewed by the Department's IT Security Officer.
	When a common assessment is undertaken and fogged on the national eCaf system, it will automatically notify ContactPoint that an assessment has been carried out along with contact details of the practitioner that can provide information about the assessment (usually the practitioner who performed the assessment). This will help to prevent duplication of effort, allow practitioners to make more informed decisions and respond in a coordinated way. There will be no access to the common assessment, nor any details within it, from ContactPoint. ContactPoint will be provided with limited information (which does not include any case information) extracted from the national eCaf and other systems using a one-way process. ContactPoint will not update the case record systems.
	As with ContactPoint, the development of the national eCaf system had significant input from a range of practitioners and managers across a wide range of children's services. Some of these individuals have been involved in the development of both systems.

Children: Day Care

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what information his Department collects on the qualifications of existing child care and early years workers in registered settings.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 12 November 2007
	Data on the qualifications of existing child care and early years workers in registered settings are collected as part of the Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey.
	This data source is a nationally representative survey of registered Childcare and Early Years Providers, commissioned by the Department. The survey began in 1998 and was repeated in 2001, 2002-03, 2005 and 2006. The survey is also commissioned to take place in 2007 and 2008.
	The 2006 Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey shows that the workforce is becoming better qualified across all provider types. There has been a rise in supervisory staff in settings coinciding with a rise in staff qualifications. Over 70 per cent. of all paid staff in full day care, and early years settings in maintained schools hold at least a Level 3 qualification, while in children's centres this rises to over 80 per cent. of staff. The proportion of staff with a Level 3 qualification or above in full day care is 10 percentage points higher than in 2005.

Children: Day Care

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the proportion of three to four-year-olds in workless families for whom the entitlement to 12.5 hours of formal childcare per week was taken up in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 24 January 2008
	The 2007 Parents' Childcare Survey collected information about take-up of the free entitlement for three and four-year-olds to 12.5 hours of formal child care per week, by child and family characteristics. This will allow an estimate to be made of the proportion of three to four-year-olds in workless families who had taken up this entitlement.
	The findings from the 2007 survey will be published in late February 2008.
	Estimates are not available for earlier years as questions about the take-up of the free entitlement to early years education for three and four-year-olds were not asked in previous surveys.

Children: Day Care

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many additional childcare places have been  (a) provided,  (b) lost and  (c) left available to the 100 local authorities with the worst incidences of multiple deprivation in each year since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Children: Sports

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether time spent  (a) on roll call and general administration,  (b) changing,  (c) travelling and  (d) before a lesson starting late may be included in the two hours spent on physical education in the public service agreement target.

Jim Knight: As with all other curriculum subjects, time spent on roll call in physical education (PE) lessons is part of the timetabled curriculum, so this will count towards the two-hour target. Time spent on changing for PE lessons also counts towards the two-hour target, as this is used by teachers to explain the lesson plan to pupils and to feed back on their performance after the lesson.
	Time spent travelling to or from PE and sporting opportunities does not count towards the two-hour total. As take-up of the two hours is taken from a typical week, time spent before a lesson which starts late does not count towards the two-hour target.

Class Sizes

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average pupil/teacher ratio was in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in (i) Cornwall, (ii) the South West and (iii) England in each year since 2001.

Jim Knight: The available figures are given in the following table:
	
		
			  Pupil: teacher ratios at primary and secondary schools in Cornwall local authority (LA), the south-west Government office region (GOR) and England, 2001-07 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Primary
			 Cornwall LA 22.9 22.3 22.4 22.6 22.6 22.1 22.1 
			 South-west GOR 23.0 22.4 22.4 22.6 22.5 21.8 21.6 
			 England 22.9 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.5 22.0 21.8 
			 
			 Secondary
			 Cornwall LA 18.0 17.8 17.6 17.6 17.5 16.9 16.7 
			 South-west GOR 17.5 17.3 17.2 17.3 16.9 16.7 16.6 
			 England 17.1 16.9 17.0 17.0 16.7 16.6 16.5 
			  Source:  Schools Census 
		
	
	Information on pupil:teacher ratios in each local authority are published annually by the Department. From 2005 the figures can be found in the Statistical First Release 'School Workforce in England', the latest of which can be accessed at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000743/index.shtml
	Figures for 2004 and earlier were published in the Statistical Volume 'Statistics of Education Schools in England'. The 2004 edition can be accessed at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000495/index.shtml
	Equivalent publications are available for earlier years.

Classroom Assistants: Qualifications

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teaching assistants have reached NVQ level  (a) 2 and  (b) 3 of the Training Development for School programme.

Jim Knight: The information is not collected in the format requested.
	The following table shows the number of "NVQ for Teaching Assistant" qualifications awarded at level 2 and level 3 for each year between 2002 and 2006.
	
		
			  Number of teaching assistants who achieved NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in 2002/03 to 2005/06 
			   NVQ Level 2  NVQ Level 3 
			 2002/03 390 260 
			 2003/04 2,090 2,240 
			 2004/05 3,880 4,540 
			 2005/06 4,840 5,780 
			  Source:  National Information System for Vocational Qualifications (NISVQ)

Comprehensive Spending Review

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the effect of the Comprehensive Spending Review on future revenue funding of  (a) academies and  (b) maintained schools in Dorset.

Jim Knight: The comprehensive spending review 2007 provides funding for the expansion of the academies programme, a further 50 academies will be opened in each of the next three years, bringing the total to 230 academies open by September 2010. Academies are funded on the basis of equivalence with maintained schools of similar characteristics in the same area, and this will continue.
	The average per pupil increases in dedicated schools grant for maintained schools in Dorset by local authority will be as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Dorset  Poole  Bournemouth 
			 2008-09 4.5 4.4 4.3 
			 2009-10 3.6 3.6 3.6 
			 2010-11 4.2 4.2 4.2

Computers: Disadvantaged

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to widen accessibility to computers and the internet for low-income families since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Government recognise the importance of closing the gap between the number of people with access to information technology and those without, commonly known as the 'digital divide'.
	Since 1997 we have run a range of education-related programmes to widen accessibility to computers and the internet for low-income families, and these have provided hardware, connectivity and training both into homes and into the local community. In 2001, for example, we opened the first UK Online centres to provide community level access to computers, the internet as well as advice and training in how to use them. There is now a network of over 6,000 centres across the country in libraries, community centres and other accessible buildings.
	We also supported cross government initiatives such as the seven point action plan to close the digital divide identified in "Connecting the UK: The Strategy for a Digitally Rich Nation" and were one of the main contributors to the plan's national digital challenge for a region to give universal online access to local public services by 2008.
	We have concentrated our efforts on young learners and in school the level of access has increased significantly. In a primary school for example, 19 children had to share one computer in 1997 whereas now there is one computer for every 6.2 children and through our extended schools' programme and our support for the e-learning foundation we have helped schools to provide children with access beyond the school day.
	In 2005 we started a £60 million Computers for Pupils programme to put ICT into the homes of the most disadvantaged secondary school pupils in the most deprived areas of the country and last year I established the Home Access Taskforce with representation from industry, education and the third sector. The Taskforce is due to report in April this year on how we might ensure that every family with 5 to 19-year-old learners in England has access to affordable ICT resources and support at home—and I recently announced an additional £30 million to provide further support under the Computers for Pupils programme until the task force proposals can be assessed and if appropriate, implemented.

Dance: Curriculum

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to maintain dance's position in the Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curriculum.

Jim Knight: Dance will remain an important element for schools to deliver within the PE national curriculum. The increased flexibility allowed by the new secondary curriculum for PE, being introduced from September 2008, will make it easier for schools to offer more dance provision within curriculum PE if there is sufficient demand.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what audits his Department and its agencies have carried out in relation to personal data and IT equipment in each of the last 10 years.

Kevin Brennan: The internal audit work programme for the Department in line with Government Internal Audit best practice, adopts a risk based approach to identifying areas for audit coverage
	The adequacy of controls over data, including personal data and IT equipment, is covered in all assignments where it is relevant to the risks under review.
	The risk based audit tasks below had a specific focus on personal data and IT equipment.
	 2004-05
	Payroll
	Travel and expenses claims
	Teacher's serious misconduct—follow-up
	Teachers Pension—ill health performance reporting
	Loss of IT kit
	IT hardware asset management
	 2005-06
	Payroll inspection
	Foreign Travel
	Network account management
	IT security
	 2006-07
	Teacher's serious misconduct
	New relationships with schools (data)
	Network account follow-up
	Review of payroll
	Travel and subsistence inspection
	 2007-08 (to date)
	Travel and subsistence post payment checks
	Network account management—follow-up
	Payroll—follow-up
	Information relating to the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPB) is not readily available within the cost threshold.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of Freedom of Information requests received by his Department have given rise to responses that have been published by his Department.

Kevin Brennan: This Department has adopted a selective disclosure log whereby only the most interesting and high profile pieces of information are published. Between 2005 and 2007 12.4 per cent. of responses to Freedom of Information requests, where information has been wholly or partially released, have been published on the Department's disclosure log.

Departmental Manpower

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many people have been appointed to his Department outside civil service grades in the last 30 days;
	(2)  many people have been appointed to his Department outside civil service grades in the last 30 days.

Kevin Brennan: The Department has not made any permanent or temporary appointments outside civil service grades during the period described.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether any of his Department's special advisers also work for organisations outside his Department.

Kevin Brennan: Special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the "Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers", copies of which are in the House Library.

Departmental Public Consultation

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many responses he has received to his Department's Time to Talk consultation.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The Department's Time to Talk consultation ran from 6 September to 19 October. I received over 3,000 responses from young people and adults, including public, private and voluntary sector bodies, A total of over 400 people also participated in consultation events in Bristol, Leeds, London, Birmingham and Portsmouth.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what opinion polls the Department has conducted of  (a) the public and  (b) staff since 27 June 2007; and what the (i) name of the firm employed to conduct the poll, (ii) purpose and (iii) cost to the public purse was in each case.

Kevin Brennan: The Department has conducted one major survey since 27 June 2007. This took the form of a Customer Perception Tracking Survey of the public in July and August 2007. The survey is being run by BMG Research Ltd. The purpose is to track perceptions and awareness of developments in education and children's services among key stakeholder groups. This was wave 2 of a three-year tracking study. The sample of the public is designed to be broadly representative of the general public, and as such, includes parents, whose views are analysed in comparison with non-parents where relevant. The Department intends to publish the outcomes at the end of the study in summer 2009. The cost of this interim wave was £14,000 excluding VAT.
	The Department has not conducted any opinion polls or surveys of staff since 27 June 2007.

Departmental Publications

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent to produce the  (a) Aiming High and  (b) Children's Plan policy documents.

Beverley Hughes: The total cost of producing the document "Aiming High for Young People: a ten year strategy for positive activities" was £14,685 shared between HM Treasury and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The cost of producing the "Children's Plan" policy documents was £151,259.

Departmental Recycling

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what  (a) volume and  (b) percentage of its waste his Department recycled in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much and what proportion of its waste his Department and its predecessors recycled in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: In the last five published reports on sustainable operations in Government the Department's headquarters estate reported the following volumes and percentages of recycled waste:
	
		
			  Year  Volume (metric tonnes)  Percentage recycled 
			 2001-02 610.57 34.46 
			 2002-03 284.83 25.13 
			 2003-04 497.93 21.15 
			 2004-05 483.50 21.9 
			 2005-06 1534.55 43.36 
		
	
	The 2005-06 year's performance met the 40 per cent. of total waste arisings recycling target. The Department's waste recycling performance in 2006-07 will be reported by the Sustainable Development Commission early in the new year.

Departmental Special Advisers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether any of his Department's advisers have declared a conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Copies of the Model Contract are available in the House Libraries.

Education: Assessments

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of children entitled to free school meals achieved a level four or above in every Key Stage 2 exam in 2006, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) local authority.

Jim Knight: This information has been published as part of a supplement to the "National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England 2005/06 (Provisional)" Statistical First Release (SFR) found at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000693/index.shtml
	The additional publication "Local Authority tables showing achievements at Key Stage 2, by ethnicity, English as a first Language, free school meals and special education needs" to this SFR contains the data requested by my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) and is found at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000693/Addition4.xls
	I draw your attention to tables 62 (Achievements at Key Stage 2 English Level 4 and above in 2006, for Local Authorities, by Free School Meal provision and gender), 63 (Achievements at Key Stage 2 Mathematics Level 4 and above in 2006, for Local Authorities, by Free School Meal provision and gender) and 64 (Achievements at Key Stage 2 Science Level 4 and above in 2006, for Local Authorities, by Free School Meal provision and gender).

Education: Isle of Wight

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the reason is for the withdrawal of £7 million from the Isle of Wight Council budget in respect of primary capital funding from the national budget.

Jim Knight: There has been no withdrawal of funding. Overall capital support for Isle of Wight and its schools during the period covered by the comprehensive spending review (2008-11) is £36 million. Capital support for the period covered by the current spending review (2005-08) is £37.4 million (excluding funding earmarked specifically for a Building Schools for the Future One School Pathfinder project). Although, in comparison to 2006-07 and 2007-08, there has been a reduction in capital support for the provision of new pupil places in areas of population growth (or Basic Need) this is in line with forecast data provided by the local authority. However, from 2009-10, Isle of Wight will benefit from the introduction of the new Primary Capital Programme which aims to support local authorities in implementing a strategic approach to renewing at least half of all primary schools by 2022-23.

Education: Kent

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funds in the form of  (a) revenue payments,  (b) capital grants and  (c) supported borrowing for which his Department is responsible have been made available to (i) Kent county council, (ii) Thanet district council and (iii) Dover district council in 2007-08.

Jim Knight: The Department does not hold information on funding at district level. However it does collect information on funding allocated to Kent county council. The information on capital, revenue and supported borrowing allocations made by the Department are provided in the following tables. In total £114 million of capital funding (including supported borrowing) and £910 million of revenue funding has been allocated to Kent county council in 2007-08 via schools and children services grants. The figures exclude payments made by non-departmental public bodies which can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Table A: Revenue  f unding made available to Kent county council by DCSF in 2007-08 
			   £ 
			  Specific Grants 
			 Dedicated Schools Grant 751,848,000 
			 School Standards Grant 32,347,428 
			 School Standards Grant (Personalisation) 9,101,608 
			 School Development Grant 49,441,196 
			 Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG) 934,264 
			 Targeted Improvement Grant 512,500 
			 Targeted School Meals Grant 1,369,512 
			 Devolved School Meals Grant 780,284 
			 Extended Schools 1,589,683 
			 Targeted Support for Primary Strategy 4,294,105 
			 Targeted Support for Secondary Strategy 3,598,387 
			 Fresh Start and New Partnerships: Recurrent 231,000 
			 Primary Strategy: Communication, Language and Literacy 50,000 
			 School Improvement Partners 468,864 
			 Music Services 1,129,485 
			 Music at Key Stage 2 631,167 
			 Education Health Partnerships 261,428 
			 Playing for Success 168,750 
			 Choice Advisers 79,351 
			 School Intervention Grant 409,600 
			 Flexible 14 to 19 Partnerships Funding 744,161 
			 Walking to School Initiatives 95,500 
			 General Duty on Sustainable Travel To School 112,865 
			 Extended Rights for Free Travel 141,603 
			 Aimhigher 623,155 
			 Connexions 11,506,441 
			 Care Matters 70,000 
			 General Sure Start Grant Recurrent 23,429,622 
			 Youth Opportunity Fund 734,395 
			 ContactPoint 421,030 
			 Total Specific Grants 897,125,384 
			   
			  DCSF Recurrent Funding routed through Local Area Agreements (LAA)( 1) 
			 Children's Services Grant 4,476,878 
			 Secondary National Strategy—Behaviour and Attendance 183,300 
			 Secondary National Strategy—Central Co-ordination 639,014 
			 Primary National Strategy Central Co-ordination 662,337 
			 Positive Activities for Young People 352,281 
			 School Travel Advisors 189,000 
			 School Development Grant (local authority retained element) 2,867,656 
			 Children's Fund 3,082,807 
			 Teenage Pregnancy 501,000 
			 Total LAA 12,954,273 
			   
			 Total Recurrent funding including LAAs 873,918,169 
			 (1)Funding routed through the Children and Young Peoples Block of Local Area Agreements, which is paid out by the Department for Communities and Local Government. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Capital grants made available to Kent county council by DCSF in 2007-08 
			   £ 
			  Capital Grants  
			 National Digital Infrastructure 3,351,099 
			 E-Learning Credits 1,390,731 
			 Devolved Formula Capital 24,015,115 
			 School Travel Plan 493,140 
			 Capital Modernisation: Primary 2,333,179 
			 Capital Modernisation: Secondary 2,690,069 
			 Targeted Capital Fund 4,584,400 
			 Building Schools for the Future 12,146,000 
			 Advance of Modernisation Capital Grants 8,372,080 
			 Specialist Schools Capital 1,114,149 
			 Fresh Start and New Partnerships: Capital 962,842 
			 General Sure Start Grant Capital 13,996,797 
			 Youth Capital Fund 635,193 
			 Information Communication Technology: Mobile Technology 305,127 
			 Integrated Children's System Capital 435,000 
			 Total Capital Grants 76,824,921 
		
	
	
		
			  Table C: Supported borrowing made available to Kent county council by DCSF in 2007-08 
			   £ 
			  Grants  
			 Capital Modernisation: Primary 5,444,085 
			 Capital Modernisation: Secondary 6,276,827 
			 New pupil places 22,810,151 
			 Schools Access Initiative 2,466,986 
			 SCE(R) Single Capital Pot (Children's element) 279,000 
			 Total LA Allocation 37,277,049

Educentre Ltd: Academies

Ken Purchase: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what support his Department is giving to Educentre Ltd. to build academies; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department has informed Educentre Ltd. about the Building Schools for the Future programme. The Department has also included Educentre Ltd. on its list of potential providers to which it circulates details of new school competitions, so that they are aware of projects for which they could enter a bid.

Family Planning: Finance

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what grants his Department made to  (a) Brook,  (b) the Family Planning Association,  (c) Marie Stopes International,  (d) the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and  (e) Education for Choice in each of the last five years; what the (i) value and (ii) purpose of each such grant was; what restrictions apply to the ways in which funds from each grant may be spent; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The amounts paid by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to the organisations listed in the question, along with a summary of the purpose for which the payments were made, are included in the following table. There no restrictions on the way that funding may be spent other than those that apply to all funding under the programmes listed in the table and that it should be used for the purpose intended. The Department has not provided funding to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) or Marie Stopes International.
	
		
			   Organisation  Amount (£)  Source of funding  Purpose 
			 2004-06 fpa (formerly Family Planning Association) 250,637 Parenting fund Delivery of the 'Speakeasy' training programme, which enables parents and carers to have more knowledge and confidence in speaking to their children about sex and relationships 
			  
			 2006-08 fpa 170,000 Parenting fund Local funding for Speakeasy programmes in Birmingham and Hackney (receiving £85,000 each) 
			 2004-05 fpa 10,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To identify good practice on young people friendly sexual health services in general practice and other health settings 
			  
			 2006-09 fpa 575,000 (175,000 in 2006-07; 200,000 in 2007-08; 200,000 in 2008-09) Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Grant programme To support fpa's strategic activities in relation to the Speakeasy programme including accredited training courses for professionals and parents; developing and supporting local Speakeasy networks; and recruiting two trainers to the programme 
			  
			 2004-06 fpa 58,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To develop and deliver a training course for health and non-health professionals, to enable them to provide more pro-active contraceptive advice to help young people to avoid second pregnancies 
			  
			 2004-06 fpa 20,565 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To deliver courses on sex, relationships, pregnancy and parenthood for those working with looked after children and young people 
			  
			 2007-10 Brook 119,572 (36,223 in 2007-08) CYPF Grant programme Strategic funding for training and consultancy support on all aspects of teenage pregnancy prevention and sexual health promotion for vulnerable young people from disadvantaged communities 
			  
			 2006-07 Brook 11,750 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding To develop a leaflet "Contraceptive choices after having a baby" for young parents to support them in preventing second unplanned pregnancies 
			  
			 2006-08 Brook 9,925 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing and circulating a poster "Believe it or not" which reminds young women of the ease of getting pregnant immediately after haying a baby 
			  
			 2007-08 Brook 14,306.04 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing and circulating a poster "contraception after abortion" informing young women about the risk of becoming pregnant after an abortion 
			  
			 2006-07 Brook 15,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing guidance on effective sexual health outreach work 
			  
			 2006-08 Brook London 19,350 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Developing and evaluating dual language cards in eight foreign languages for newly arrived young people in the UK whose first language is not English to encourage them to use sexual health advice services 
			  
			 2004-07 Education for Choice (EfC) 38,000 Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Programme funding Delivery of training programmes for health and education professionals to facilitate discussion about pregnancy and abortion; revision and development of EfC's website; work with boys and young men; and support for parents to help them discuss pregnancy choices and abortion

Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the role of the finance director in his Department is in relation to authorising policies with significant financial implications for the Department.

Kevin Brennan: The Department operates a devolved financial framework in which budget responsibility for policy initiatives is delegated to those charged with administering and delivering the policy. The specific role of the Finance Director within this delegated framework is to ensure that line managers within policy areas are supported with professional accountancy and financial advice when considering the financial implications of policy proposals. In line with the Treasury's guidance within "Managing Public Money" (October 2007) the Finance Director is responsible for providing financial leadership within the Department by setting the financial governance framework, establishing the internal financial controls and maintaining the essential external links with Treasury and the National Audit Office.
	The Department has a qualified accountant as Director General of Corporate Services who sits on the board and has overall strategic responsibility for all operational matters and for directly supporting the Accounting Officer. On a day-to-day basis many of the key financial tasks are delegated to a professionally qualified Finance Director who manages the Department's central finance function, is responsible for improving financial literacy of budget managers and ensuring that the Department meets all its statutory financial reporting obligations.

Forced Marriage

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will ensure that information on helplines and access to support for victims of forced marriage or persons in fear of forced marriage is available in secondary schools to teachers and pupils; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Schools have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils, and we have encouraged them, through guidance, to make available information about helplines and access to support for victims or people in fear of forced marriage. School staff should also be alert to the risk of forced marriage, as with other potential risks of harm to their pupils. They should not attempt to mediate in suspected cases, but should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Forced Marriage Unit where experienced caseworkers are able to offer support and guidance.

Foster Care

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average time was that local authorities took to interview and process an application form from couples and individuals wishing to  (a) foster and  (b) adopt a child or children in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her on 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 532W.

Free School Meals

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools have eligibility levels for free school meals of 20 per cent. or more in local authorities with overall eligibility levels for that type of school of less than 15 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Free School Meals

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of secondary schools with free school meal eligibility of between 35 per cent. and 50 per cent. are not specialist schools; and what the estimated annual revenue cost to these schools is as a consequence of their non-specialist status.

Jim Knight: The information requested in the first part of this question could be provided only at disproportionate cost. No information is readily available to meet the second part of this request.

Free School Meals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children  (a) were entitled to and  (b) claimed free school meals in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: holding answer 14 November 2007
	The available information is given in tables 3A, 3B and 3C of SFR30/2007 (Schools and Pupils in England, January 2007 (Final)) which can be found at
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000744/index.shtml
	Information for earlier years cannot be provided within the time scale required by Parliament.
	
		
			  Table A: maintained nursery and primary schools( 1) : school meal arrangements—position in January each year: 2003 to 2007 England 
			   Day pupils( 2) 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Number on roll 4,350,260 4,293,180 4,243,110 4,187,630 4,148,390 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 731,610 741,150 717,230 670,340 658,910 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 16.8 17.3 16.9 16.0 15.9 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Prior to 2003, 'Day pupils' includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are solely registered, excluding boarding pupils. Due to underlying changes in data collection, this coverage was extended to also include all pupils with dual (main) registration and boarding pupils from 2003.  Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.  Source: School Census 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: maintained secondary schools( 1) : school meal arrangements—position in January each year: 2003 to 2007 England 
			   Day pupils( 2) 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Number on roll 3,308,490 3,326,800 3,317,590 3,309,720 3,272,480 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 478,920 477,290 465,520 448,680 429,700 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 14.5 14.3 14.0 13.6 13.1 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Prior to 2003, 'Day pupils' includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are solely registered, excluding boarding pupils. Due to underlying changes in data collection, this coverage was extended to also include all pupils with dual (main) registration and boarding pupils from 2003.  Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.  Source: School Census 
		
	
	
		
			  Table C: all special schools: school meal arrangements—position in January each year: 2003 to 2007 England 
			   Day pupils( 1) 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Number on roll(2) 94,660 92,620 91,210 90,450 90,600 
			 Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 33,430 33,100 30,690 29,410 29,110 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 35.3 35.7 33.6 32.5 32.1 
			 (1) Prior to 2003, 'Day pupils' includes all full-time and part-time pupils who are solely registered, excluding boarding pupils. Due to underlying changes in data collection, this coverage was extended to also include all pupils with dual (main) registration and boarding pupils from 2003. (2) Excludes general hospital schools.  Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.  Source: School Census

Free School Meals: Somerset

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of children are estimated to be eligible for free school meals at  (a) Manor Court Primary School, Chard, Somerset,  (b) Neroche Primary School, Somerset,  (c) South Petherton Junior School, Somerset  (d) Parcroft Junior School, Somerset,  (e) Grass Royal Junior School, Somerset,  (f) Norton-sub-Hamdon Primary School, Somerset and  (g) Wadham School, Somerset.

Jim Knight: The requested information is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Free school meal arrangements, January 2007 
			   Pupil achievement and attainment tables( 1) 
			  Somerset  Number of pupils (used for FSM calculation)  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals  Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
			 Manor Court Community Primary School 403 47 11.7 
			 Neroche Primary School 161 5 3.1 
			 South Petherton Junior School 99 7 7.1 
			 Parcroft Community Junior School 275 27 9.8 
			 Grass Royal Junior School 265 59 22.3 
			 Norton-sub-Hamdon Church of England Primary School 127 15 11.8 
			 Wadham School 554 38 6.9 
			 (1) Includes pupils with sole and dual registration who are full time and aged 0 to 15 (inclusive) and those who are part-time and aged 5 to 15 (inclusive).

GCE A-Level

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the terms of the review of A-levels in 2013 are; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The 2013 review will consider the evidence and experience following the introduction of Diplomas and the implementation of changes to A- level and GCSE, with a view to reaching conclusions about how in practice the overall offer meets the needs of young people in progressing to further study and employment.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of secondary schools submitted one or more pupils for GCSEs in  (a) physics,  (b) chemistry,  (c) biology,  (d) science,  (e) history,  (f) mathematics,  (g) English,  (h) French,  (i) Spanish,  (j) German,  (k) Italian and  (l) a modern language in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 2000-01, (iii) 2004-05, (iv) 2005-06 and (v) 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The 2006/07 figures for parts  (d),  (f) and  (g) are as follows.
	
		
			   Number of schools entering one or more pupils  Percentage of schools entering one or more pupils 
			 Mathematics 4,583 82.6 
			 English 4,463 80.4 
			 Science 3,758 67.7 
		
	
	These figures relate to pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in all secondary schools.
	To answer the other parts of the question would go over the disproportionate cost threshold.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many pupils in pupil referral units did not gain a single GCSE C grade or higher in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many comprehensive schools did not enter any pupils for GCSEs in English, mathematics, science and a modern language in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many independent schools did not enter any pupils for GCSE examinations in English, mathematics, science and a modern language in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(4)  how many and what proportion of pupils in pupil referral units were entered for GCSE examinations in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Greater London

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in each London local education authority area left school achieving fewer than five A* to C grade passes at GCSE, including mathematics and English, in each of the last eight years.

Jim Knight: The information has been placed in the Library.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what percentage of  (a) 15 year olds and  (b) pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including (i) English, mathematics and science and (ii) English, mathematics, science and a modern foreign language in (A) 2006-07 and (B) 2005-06.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 29 October 2007.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils gained three GCSEs or fewer at D grade or below in 2007.

Jim Knight: The information is provided as follows.
	
		
			   Number 
			 Number of pupils achieving one GCSE grade D-G and no grades C or above 9,881 
			 Number of pupils achieving two GCSEs grade D-G and no grades C or above 13,977 
			 Number of pupils achieving three GCSEs grade D-G and no grades C or above 19,611 
		
	
	28,114 pupils achieved no GCSEs.
	The figures relate to pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2006/07.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils in each constituency gained five GCSE A* to C grades in subjects including English, mathematics, science and at least one modern language in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not available and requires significant data development and recalculations to create, which would be at a disproportionate cost.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils in receipt of free school meals did not gain a single grade C or higher at GCSE in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in how many mainstream maintained schools one or more pupils gained no passes at GCSE in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: In 2006/07, the number of mainstream maintained schools in which one or more pupils gained no passes at GCSE (or equivalent) was 2,031. This is 66.7 per cent. of all mainstreamed maintained schools.

Headteachers: Qualifications

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the National Professional Qualification for Headship will be compulsory for those candidates seeking headships in academies; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to my reply given to him on 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 823W.

Health Education: Nutrition

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government plans to take to educate parents about nutrition.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 7 February 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Department launched the 5 A DAY programme to promote the health benefits of eating a variety of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day as we believe this gives a positive message to the consumer.
	The 5 A DAY logo was launched by the Department; over 640 organisations are licensed to use the 5 A DAY logo. The Food Standards Agency's (FSA) Consumer Attitudes Survey, 2006 showed that 72 per cent. of people are now aware that they should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, up from 43 per cent. in 2000.
	'Top Tips for Top Mums' is a new 5 A DAY campaign. The campaign aims to help families by sharing real tips from real mums on how they got their kids to eat more fruit and vegetables. Mums or dads can e-mail mums@5adaytoptips.co.uk to send in their tip which may then be shared with other families via the 5 A DAY website, the media and other 5 A DAY partners.
	In November 2006, the new Healthy Start scheme was implemented across the United Kingdom to provide vouchers for milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula and free vitamin supplements to qualifying families and to back this up with information and advice through their health care professional on breastfeeding/healthy eating. They also receive an information booklet and a magazine with links to the healthy start website.
	The Government will invest £75 million in an integrated marketing programme to inform, support and empower parents to make changes to their children's diets and levels of physical activity. It will include simple universal messages for all families as well as tailored messages for at-risk families. There will be an emphasis on highlighting opportunities to take part in activities in the local area—everything from fruit-tasting sessions to 'walking buses' and safe play areas.
	The Government will also seek to further develop the NHS Choices website so that it provides highly personalised advice on diet, activity and how to maintain a healthy weight. The Government will work with the FSA and other relevant bodies to ensure that this advice is based on the best available evidence, so that individuals can make sense of often conflicting advice from other sources. We will also explore the potential to include information on which companies meet which aspects of the codes of good practice in food and entertainment technology.

Health Education: Sex

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the impact of sex education on the attitudes and lifestyle choices of young people; and what guidance he has issued to schools on the recommended content of sex education materials.

Jim Knight: The Department issued its "Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) Guidance (DfES 0116/2000)" to all maintained schools in July 2000. This outlines the responsibility of schools in this area and provides information on the issues to be covered at each of the four key stages, taking account of the age and the physical and emotional maturity of the young people receiving this education.
	The Department has not commissioned research on the impact of SRE on the attitudes and lifestyle choices of young people. However, as part of the Children's Plan we have given a commitment to review best practice in effective SRE and how it is delivered in schools. We have listened to young people and recognise that many feel that they do not currently have the knowledge they need to make safe and responsible choices about relationships and sexual health. We will involve young people fully in the review to make sure that future SRE better meets their needs.

Home Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were home educated in each local education authority in the latest year for which information is available.

Jim Knight: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Home Education: Females

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many girls aged 14 years and over  (a) were home schooled and  (b) had been removed from school and have not resumed in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Languages: Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps the Government has taken to improve the quality of teaching foreign languages in schools.

Jim Knight: holding answer 4 February 2008
	My hon. Friend will be aware from my answer of 13 December that the Children's Plan, published that month, has announced a review of the primary curriculum that will examine how best to introduce languages as a compulsory subject in primary schools.
	We are taking a number of steps to build up the capacity of the primary school system to deliver this, including a teacher training programme in a primary languages specialism. This has so far trained nearly 3,000 teachers, with thousands more to be trained over the next few years. A report by Ofsted, published on 29 January, showed that trainees on the course are being well prepared as future teachers of languages. Increased funding for local authorities to support the delivery of primary languages—£32.5 million in 2008-09, up from £27.5 million in 2007-08 will help schools to buy in specialist advice or resources. Teachers can also make use of sources of support in the classroom, such as schemes of work in French, German and Spanish and materials on the Primary Languages Training Zone, the online training resource for teaching and learning languages at Key Stage 2.
	My answer of 13 December set out what we are doing to raise standards of teaching and learning at Key Stage 3. In addition, to ensure that gains made at primary level are not lost, CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is working with groups of primary and secondary schools in a variety of contexts to develop solutions to transition, and will be publishing draft guidelines later this term. There is already guidance for schools in the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages and as part of the National Strategies and CILT Key Stage 3 programme to ensure that teaching of languages in secondary school builds on progress made earlier.

Languages: Qualifications

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which schools offered  (a) GCSE and  (b) A-Level Mandarin in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not hold information on the subjects each school offers at GCSE.

Leisure: Finance

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what central Government funding for leisure facilities for persons aged between 16 and 21 years was  (a) in total and  (b) per capita in (i) Cornwall, (ii) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall and (iii) England in each year since 1979.

Beverley Hughes: The Government do not collect specific information on local funding for leisure facilities as responsibility rests with local authorities.
	However, Government are committed to investing in facilities "Aiming high for young people; a ten year strategy for positive activities", which was published in July 2006, announced the launch of a new programme of capital investment based on the reinvestment of unclaimed assets from dormant bank accounts and £60 million of new DCSF funding. Our ambition is that this will lead to new and improved youth facilities in every constituency over the next 10 years.
	The "Children's Plan" subsequently announced a further £160 million of DCSF investment over the next two years to support this ambition.
	We expect local authorities and the third and private sector to forge genuine partnership to deliver world class facilities driven by the active participation of young people.

Literacy: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in  (a) Enfield and  (b) Enfield, North of school leaving age were functionally illiterate in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: Improving standards of literacy and numeracy at all stages of education has been one of the Government's top priorities. There is no nationally expected level of achievement for 16-year-olds (pupils at the end of key stage 4). The Government's current public service agreement target is for 60 per cent. of 16-year-olds to achieve 5 good GCSE grades (A*-C) or equivalent by 2008. Figures for 2007 published on 9 January show that this target has been met. But we are raising the bar and in future the target for the end of key stage 4 will be measured against the proportion of pupils achieving 5 grades A*-C or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics. The 2007 figure for England achieving this standard was 46.7 per cent. compared with 37.0 per cent. in 1998.
	The following table shows the proportion of pupils in Enfield and Enfield, North achieving 5 or more grades A*-C or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics for each year since 1998:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Enfield  Enfield, North 
			 1998 33.4 30.9 
			 1999 36.5 30.5 
			 2000 35.2 28.4 
			 2001 37.4 32.5 
			 2002 38.4 35.2 
			 2003 38.3 37.9 
			 2004 40.5 39.8 
			 2005 42.2 40.8 
			 2006 42.8 40.1 
			 2007 47.5 45.4 
		
	
	In 2007 60 per cent. of pupils in England achieved at least Grade C in GCSE English compared with 53.2 per cent. in 1998. We do not publish disaggregated figures for GCSE subjects at local authority level.

Literacy: Greater London

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 267-71W, on literacy: Greater London, what the number of children in each borough is from which the percentages for 2007 in table 3 are derived.

Jim Knight: The following table shows, for each London borough, the number of children included in the calculation of those achieving five or more A*-C GCSE (and equivalent) including GCSE English and mathematics.
	
		
			  2007 :  numbers and percentages of 15-year-olds attaining five or more GCSEs, including English and mathematics, at grades C and above for each London authority. 
			  Local authority name  Number of 15-year-old pupils  Percentage 5 +A*-C including English and mathematics 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2,097 39.2 
			 Barnet 3,285 59.3 
			 Bexley 3,290 49.7 
			 Brent 2,654 49.5 
			 Bromley 3,484 55.3 
			 Camden 1,444 45.1 
			 City of London — — 
			 Croydon 3,803 44.1 
			 Ealing 2,631 49.0 
			 Enfield 3,729 47.4 
			 Greenwich 2,477 33.9 
			 Hackney 1,323 41.3 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,078 57.8 
			 Haringey 2,066 37.1 
			 Harrow 2,209 56.0 
			 Havering 3,072 53.6 
			 Hillingdon 3,048 44.4 
			 Hounslow 2,639 50.2 
			 Islington 1,479 37.0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 606 56.4 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,497 61.3 
			 Lambeth 1,423 41.1 
			 Lewisham 2,255 40.4 
			 Merton 1,611 39.7 
			 Newham 3,316 44.1 
			 Redbridge 3,279 61.2 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,460 47.7 
			 Southwark 2,282 38.3 
			 Sutton 2,572 64.7 
			 Tower Hamlets 2,527 36.3 
			 Waltham Forest 2,595 42.0 
			 Wandsworth 1,793 46.6 
			 Westminster 1,371 45.6 
			  Note:  The number of 15-year-olds relates to those on roll at the start of the academic year.

London Academy Edgware

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what percentage of students at the London Academy  (a) are entitled to free school meals,  (b) are in receipt of education maintenance allowance,  (c) have a special educational need and  (d) have a mother tongue other than English.

Jim Knight: The following table provides data on the number and percentage of students at the London Academy who:
	 (a) are eligible for free school meals (FSM);
	 (c) have a special educational need (SEN);
	 (d) have English as an additional language.
	
		
			  Results for the London Academy 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Pupils entitled to FSM(1) 432 43.0 
			 Pupils with SEN with statement(2) 51 3.9 
			 Pupils with SEN without statement(2) 425 32.2 
			 Pupils with English as an additional 464 35.2 
			 (1) Based on all pupils of compulsory school age. (2) Based on all pupils.  Source: PLASC 20O7 
		
	
	The Learning and Skills Council operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme for the Department and hold the information about take-up and payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 21 January 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked: "How many and percentage of students at the London Academy (a) are entitled to free school meals, (b) are in receipt of educational maintenance allowance, (c) have a special educational need and (d) have a mother tongue other than English."
	EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	EMA take-up for the London Academy is as follows:
	
		
			  Academic year  Number in receipt (percentage of post-16 learners in receipt) 
			 2006/07 184 (59%) 
		
	
	EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and to date in 2007/08 is now also available on the LSC website, at the following address:
	http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA_take_up.htm

Minibuses: Licensing

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what representations he has received on funding for training and testing of teachers and early years workers for the driving of minibuses.

Jim Knight: holding answer 13 December 2007
	We have received no formal representations on funding teachers or others to train and be tested for the D1PCV licence or MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme). Schools can provide such funding from within their dedicated school budget and local authorities, as employers, can help with the arrangements. Licensing Incidental Drivers of the School Minibus carries details at:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthandsafety/visits/

Numeracy: Qualifications

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made for the potential for public confusion between the Adult Numeracy and Key Skills Adult Numeracy qualifications.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	The adult numeracy qualifications referred to are properly called the "Certificate in Adult Numeracy' and were developed as part of the Government's national Skills for Life strategy for improving adult literacy, language and numeracy skills. The Skills for Life numeracy curriculum covers a tightly defined set of topics as laid out in the National Adult Numeracy Standards.
	The Key Skills qualifications are properly called "Key Skills in Application of Number' and were designed for 16 to 19-year-olds as part of the Curriculum 2000 reforms of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, The "Key Skills in Application of Number" is a broader qualification than Skills for Life Numeracy and covers a wider range of topics. As well as following a curriculum and completing a test, Key Skills qualifications require the student to present a portfolio of work.
	The names of the respective qualifications were chosen to reflect the content of the qualifications and, in the case of Key Skills, to reflect the name of the policy. We do not believe there is potential for confusion between these two qualifications since they are named, marketed and described differently. We see these two qualifications as a lateral progression pathway for adult numeracy: adults can take the smaller Certificate in Adult Numeracy and, if they wish, then achieve the broader Key Skills in Application of Number qualification with the addition of a portfolio of work.

Physical Education: Teachers

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many qualified physical education teachers there were in each London borough in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Information is available for England from the Secondary Schools Curriculum Survey (SSCSS) which is an occasional sample survey last conducted in 2002 and 2007. 2007 figures will be published in spring 2008. The 2002 survey showed that there were 21,400 teachers in secondary schools teaching physical education of which 78 per cent. had a post A-level qualification in the subject. All teachers in primary schools are qualified to teach all subjects of the national curriculum including physical education.
	The 2002 SSCSS figures were published in Statistics of Education, School Workforce in England (including teachers' pay for England and Wales), January 2003 edition, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library.

Primary Education

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in  (a) Bedfordshire,  (b) Cambridgeshire,  (c) Essex,  (d) Norfolk,  (e) Suffolk,  (f) Buckinghamshire,  (g) Berkshire,  (h) East Sussex,  (i) West Sussex,  (j) Hampshire,  (k) Hertfordshire,  (l) the Isle of Wight,  (m) Oxfordshire,  (n) Kent and  (o) Surrey;
	(2)  how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) Devon,  (c) Dorset,  (d) Somerset and  (e) Wiltshire;
	(3)  how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in  (a) Gloucestershire,  (b) Herefordshire,  (c) Shropshire,  (d) Staffordshire,  (e) Warwickshire,  (f) West Midlands,  (g) Worcestershire,  (h) Derbyshire  (i) Leicestershire,  (j) Lincolnshire,  (k) Northamptonshire,  (l) Rutland and  (m) Nottinghamshire;
	(4)  how many primary schools with fewer than 150 pupils there are in  (a) Lancashire,  (b) Cheshire,  (c) Merseyside,  (d) Cumbria,  (e) Greater Manchester,  (f) County Durham,  (g) Northumberland,  (h) Tyne and Wear,  (i) East Yorkshire,  (j) South Yorkshire and  (k) West Yorkshire.

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils on average were on the roll of schools providing education to children between the ages of five and 11-years-old in England in 2007; and what this figure was in each of the 10  (a) most and  (b) least deprived local authorities.

Jim Knight: The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary schools( 1) : number of schools with fewer than 150 full-time equivalent pupils( 2,3,)  January 2007 
			   Each local authority area  Fewer than 150 pupils  150 pupils or more  Total 
			  England 4,721 12,640 17,361 
			  
			 201 City of London 0 1 1 
			 202 Camden 2 39 41 
			 203 Greenwich 0 64 64 
			 204 Hackney 1 52 53 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 35 35 
			 206 Islington 0 45 45 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 0 26 26 
			 208 Lambeth 1 59 60 
			 209 Lewisham 0 69 69 
			 210 Southwark 0 71 71 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 1 68 69 
			 212 Wandsworth 0 56 56 
			 213 Westminster 2 38 40 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 0 49 49 
			 302 Barnet 3 84 87 
			 303 Bexley 0 59 59 
			 304 Brent 0 59 59 
			 305 Bromley 9 68 77 
			 306 Croydon 5 86 91 
			 307 Ealing 0 64 64 
			 308 Enfield 1 65 66 
			 309 Haringey 0 63 63 
			 310 Harrow 0 54 54 
			 311 Havering 3 62 65 
			 312 Hillingdon 0 65 65 
			 313 Hounslow 1 59 60 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 0 36 36 
			 315 Merton 0 43 43 
			 316 Newham 0 66 66 
			 317 Redbridge 0 50 50 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 2 39 41 
			 319 Sutton 0 41 41 
			 320 Waltham Forest 0 57 57 
			 330 Birmingham 8 291 299 
			 331 Coventry 3 82 85 
			 332 Dudley 0 78 78 
			 333 Sandwell 3 93 96 
			 334 Solihull 4 63 67 
			 335 Walsall 1 85 86 
			 336 Wolverhampton 6 74 80 
			 340 Knowsley 4 51 55 
			 341 Liverpool 11 124 135 
			 342 St. Helens 1 53 54 
			 343 Sefton 8 70 78 
			 344 Wirral 15 83 98 
			 350 Bolton 8 90 98 
			 351 Bury 8 55 63 
			 352 Manchester 4 129 133 
			 353 Oldham 10 84 94 
			 354 Rochdale 7 64 71 
			 355 Salford 10 73 83 
			 356 Stockport 10 82 92 
			 357 Tameside 9 66 75 
			 358 Trafford 4 68 72 
			 359 Wigan 13 92 105 
			 370 Barnsley 12 70 82 
			 371 Doncaster 13 90 103 
			 372 Rotherham 18 85 103 
			 373 Sheffield 7 129 136 
			 380 Bradford 15 143 158 
			 381 Calderdale 29 56 85 
			 382 Kirklees 46 105 151 
			 383 Leeds 26 196 222 
			 384 Wakefield 33 91 124 
			 390 Gateshead 21 52 73 
			 391 Newcastle upon Tyne 6 66 72 
			 392 North Tyneside 6 50 56 
			 393 South Tyneside 8 43 51 
			 394 Sunderland 6 77 83 
			 420 Isles of Scilly 0 1 1 
			 800 Bath and North East Somerset 26 37 63 
			 801 Bristol, City of 15 96 111 
			 802 North Somerset 23 43 66 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 21 75 96 
			 805 Hartlepool 5 25 30 
			 806 Middlesbrough 2 40 42 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 4 41 45 
			 808 Stockton-on-Tees 7 55 62 
			 810 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 3 68 71 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 61 71 132 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 10 49 59 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 22 44 66 
			 815 North Yorkshire 208 118 326 
			 816 York 12 42 54 
			 820 Bedfordshire 81 65 146 
			 821 Luton 0 54 54 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 60 124 184 
			 826 Milton Keynes 25 65 90 
			 830 Derbyshire 178 180 358 
			 831 Derby 5 73 78 
			 835 Dorset 69 67 136 
			 836 Poole 2 26 28 
			 837 Bournemouth 1 26 27 
			 840 Durham 114 122 236 
			 841 Darlington 2 28 30 
			 845 East Sussex 58 98 156 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 3 53 56 
			 850 Hampshire 113 317 430 
			 851 Portsmouth 5 48 53 
			 852 Southampton 6 55 61 
			 855 Leicestershire 82 143 225 
			 856 Leicester 5 79 84 
			 857 Rutland 10 7 17 
			 860 Staffordshire 104 197 301 
			 861 Stoke-on-Trent 2 69 71 
			 865 Wiltshire 104 104 208 
			 866 Swindon 7 60 67 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 0 30 30 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 17 28 45 
			 869 West Berkshire 29 37 66 
			 870 Reading 4 33 37 
			 871 Slough 1 26 27 
			 872 Wokingham 14 37 51 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 63 138 201 
			 874 Peterborough 6 52 58 
			 875 Cheshire 97 178 275 
			 876 Halton 16 36 52 
			 877 Warrington 7 64 71 
			 878 Devon 182 136 318 
			 879 Plymouth 14 62 76 
			 880 Torbay 4 28 32 
			 881 Essex 129 344 473 
			 882 Southend-on-Sea 1 36 37 
			 883 Thurrock 2 41 43 
			 884 Herefordshire 50 32 82 
			 885 Worcestershire 83 106 189 
			 886 Kent 133 333 466 
			 887 Medway 9 76 85 
			 888 Lancashire 176 310 486 
			 889 Blackburn with Darwen 4 52 56 
			 890 Blackpool 1 28 29 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 87 205 292 
			 892 Nottingham 17 75 92 
			 893 Shropshire 85 57 142 
			 894 Telford and Wrekin 12 45 57 
			 908 Cornwall 129 109 238 
			 909 Cumbria 168 111 279 
			 916 Gloucestershire 121 129 250 
			 919 Hertfordshire 85 322 407 
			 921 Isle of Wight 28 18 46 
			 925 Lincolnshire 135 150 285 
			 926 Norfolk 202 182 384 
			 928 Northamptonshire 97 168 265 
			 929 Northumberland 91 47 138 
			 931 Oxfordshire 94 139 233 
			 933 Somerset 114 109 223 
			 935 Suffolk 131 125 256 
			 936 Surrey 72 242 314 
			 937 Warwickshire 60 136 196 
			 938 West Sussex 72 168 240 
			 (1) Includes maintained schools. (2) Excludes dually registered pupils. (3) Part-time pupils are counted as 0.5 full-time equivalents.  Source: School Census

Primary Education: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what account the Primary Capital Programme will take of the removal of surplus places; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: We believe it is right that we should challenge local authorities to make best use of resources by taking action to balance the demand and supply of school places. Our guidance Primary Capital Programme: Guidance for local authorities on developing their primary strategy for change makes clear that strategies that fail to commit to doing so will not be approved. However, the guidance also acknowledges that it will not always be practicable, or desirable, to remove all surplus places and that authorities should allow for parental choice, accessibility of schools and possible future increase in pupil numbers due to demographic changes. It also recognises that in order to preserve access for young children, there may be more empty places in schools in rural areas than in urban areas.

Primary Education: Catering

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what capital grant will be available from April 2008 to those local authorities with large numbers of primary schools without school kitchens; which local authorities have the largest number of schools without kitchens; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Over the next three years, we are providing a record £21.9 billion of capital support for investment in school buildings. Much of this funding is devolved to local authorities and schools for their local priorities, which can include installing or improving school kitchens and dining areas. As part of this funding, we are making available £150 million of targeted capital grant to those authorities with high need who aim to install kitchens in over 20 per cent. of their schools where currently there are none, and where to do so without targeted support would put unacceptable pressure on other funding priorities. We issued an invitation and guidance to all authorities on how to apply for this funding in December 2007, and they have until the end of this month to make an application.
	The Department does not hold detailed information on which schools do not have kitchens. Working with the School Food Trust in late 2006, we identified the following authorities as having relatively high numbers of primary and secondary schools without kitchens, but this may not be a full list: Bournemouth, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kingston upon Thames, Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes, North East Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Poole, Somerset, Swindon, West Sussex, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire.

Primary Education: Closures

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many primary schools closed in England in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The numbers of Primary Schools closed in England in each of the last 10 years are given in the table.
	
		
			   Phase of Education  
			  Close date  Middle deemed primary  Primary  Grand total 
			 1997 4 168 172 
			 1998 3 171 174 
			 1999 3 194 197 
			 2000 6 182 188 
			 2001 4 244 248 
			 2002 3 223 226 
			 2003 0 207 207 
			 2004 9 219 228 
			 2005 5 241 246 
			 2006 2 246 248 
			 2007 13 279 292 
			 Grand total 52 2,374 2,426 
		
	
	Schools can be closed for a number of reasons including: to meet demographic changes (population decline); as part of an amalgamation; to allow a Fresh Start school to replace a school in special measures; to allow a school with a religious character to replace a school without a religious character; or as part of another type of local reorganisation.

Primary Education: Isle of Wight

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what specific issues his Department has informed the Isle of Wight Council are required to be addressed by 1 February 2008 in the local primary school strategy for change.

Jim Knight: holding answer 4 February 2008
	The 6 December guidance sets out the broad requirements. We will be contacting local authorities shortly with regard to specific issues that we would expect to be addressed through the primary strategy for change to be submitted by 16 June. Tackling poor performance and managing surplus places sensitively will be key considerations.

Primary Education: Rural Areas

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of pupils in primary schools designated as rural schools achieved level 4 or above in Key Stage 2 tests in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: Figures showing results in 2007 key stage 2 tests in all primary schools split by urban/rural areas are shown as follows:
	
		
			Percentage of pupils who achieved level 4 or above at key stage 2 
			   Number of eligible pupils  English  Maths  Science 
			 All 569,337 80 77 88 
			 Urban areas 465,470 79 76 87 
			 Rural areas 103,867 85 81 91 
		
	
	These figures include LA maintained schools and academies.
	This information can be found in table 14 of the Statistical First Release 'National Curriculum Assessments at Key Stage 2 in England, 2007', available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000764/index.shtml

Primary Education: Standards

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what adjustments for sex are included in the contextual value added measure for Key Stage Two; and how such calculations are made.

Jim Knight: holding answer 11 December 2007
	 The CVA model is calculated using an established statistical technique referred to as multi-level modelling. This method uses a formula which estimates the contribution each school makes to its pupils' attainment, taking account of each pupil's starting point and a broad range of contextual factors which are shown to affect progress and for which consistent national data are available. The impact of these factors that are accounted for, including gender, are calculated simultaneously. The formula is calculated each year based on the actual attainment of the entire national cohort of over half a million pupils. The CVA calculations, therefore, make an allowance for the different gender mix within each school, when calculating the school CVA measure.
	The 2007 Key Stage (KS) 1-2 contextualised value added model shows that boys, on average, achieved 0.44 KS2 points higher than girls with the same pattern of prior attainment at KS1 and contextual factors. This means that boys made just under half a term's more progress than girls over this period.

Primary Education: Standards

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in how many primary schools  (a) 20 per cent.,  (b) 30 per cent. and  (c) 50 per cent. or more of pupils did not reach level 4 in Key Stage Two tests in 2007.

Jim Knight: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of schools with: 
			  Subject  50 per cent. or more pupils not achieving level 4+  30 per cent. or more pupils not achieving level 4+  20 per cent. or more pupils not achieving level 4+ 
			 English 487 2,598 5,398 
			 Maths 567 3,384 6,734 
			 Science 258 1,005 2,405 
		
	
	Schools covered are those published in the primary school Achievement and Attainment Tables and include maintained special schools.

Private Education

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what public benefit test is applied to private schools for charitable purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Charities Act 2006 provides a clear definition of charity with the emphasis on public benefit. At the heart of the Act is a new statutory definition of charity, based on a list of charitable purposes, and the principle of charities being for public benefit. The Act removes a long-standing presumption of public benefit for charities for the advancement of education, advancement of religion and the relief of poverty. This means that all charities will have to be able to demonstrate public benefit.
	The Charity Commission, as independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, will interpret the public benefit requirement in the light of case law, modern conditions and the removal of the presumption of public benefit. The Charity Commission issued draft guidance on the principles of public benefit for consultation in May 2007, and received over 900 responses. The Commission will publish its final public benefit guidance in January 2008. It will follow this with the development of specific guidance for groups of charities likely to be most affected—including the independent school sector. The relevant provisions of the Act are expected to come into force in spring 2008.

Private Sector

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1405-06W, on private sector, for each of the two formal investigations referred to, which private sector organisations were concerned; what the result of the investigation was; what the start and end date of the investigation was; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: In the first instance, the investigation started on 26 February 2007 and the final report was issued on 5 September 2007. Based on its conclusions, the Department has taken management and disciplinary action to address weaknesses in the way certain contracts had been managed. The release of information about the private organisations concerned would risk prejudicing commercial interests.
	In the second instance, the investigation started on 6 July 2007 and the case was reported to the police for further investigation on 24 August 2007. The release of information about the private organisations concerned might prejudice the ongoing investigation, and risk prejudicing commercial interests.

Pupils

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of primary school pupils live within walking distance as defined by his Department of more than one maintained  (a) primary and  (b) secondary school, broken down by local authority;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of primary school pupils live within walking distance as defined by his Department of more than two secondary schools, broken down by local authority.

Jim Knight: The statutory walking distance is two miles for pupils aged under eight and three miles for those aged eight and over. However, from September 2007, under the terms of section 508B of the Education Act 1996, children aged eight but under 11 from low income families became entitled to free travel arrangements where they live more than two miles from their nearest qualifying school. From September 2008 all children from low income families of compulsory school age who are 11 or over will be entitled to free transport in two ways—to one of their three nearest qualifying schools where they live more than two but not more than six miles from that school, and to the nearest school preferred by reason of a parent's religion or belief between two and 15 miles from home.
	The measurement of the statutory walking distance is not necessarily by the shortest distance by road. It is measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, may walk with reasonable safety. As such, the route measured may include footpaths, bridleways, and other pathways, as well as recognised roads.
	A table showing the number and proportion of primary school pupils who live within two miles straight line distance of more than one maintained  (a) primary and  (b) secondary school and the number and proportion of primary pupils who live within two miles straight line distance of more than two secondary schools, broken down by local authority, has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Pupils: Assessments

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when the pupils who sat the pilot stage tests in English and mathematics will receive their results.

Jim Knight: In December 2007, 22,543 pupils took a total of 42,833 tests in English and mathematics in the first round of single level tests as part of the Making Good Progress pilot. As this is the first pilot of a new assessment instrument, the National Assessment Agency is reviewing the outcomes from those tests. The results were released to the individual schools which participated on 7 February.

Pupils: Attendance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the most recent attendance figures are for pupils in each school year from year three to year 11; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The first year for which information is available on absence rates by national curriculum year groups is 2005/06 and relates to secondary schools only. This analysis was published in Statistical First Release 11/2007 in March 2007 at: (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000718/index.shtml) and is provided as follows.
	Data for 2006/07 are expected to be available in February 2008 and will also include figures for primary and special schools.
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies( 1) : Pupil absence by national curriculum year group( 2 ) 2005/06—England 
			   Maintained secondary schools  City technology colleges 
			Percentage of half days missed( 3)   Percentage of half days missed( 3) 
			  National curriculum year group  Number of day pupils of compulsory school age( 4)  Authorised absence  Unauthorised absence  Overall absence  Number of day pupils of compulsory school age( 4)  Authorised absence  Unauthorised absence  Overall absence 
			 6 and below 51,530 5.35 0.28 5.63 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 7 562,230 5.74 0.58 6.32 1,890 4.29 0.11 4.40 
			 8 573,050 6.48 0.90 7.38 1,870 4.90 0.20 5.10 
			 9 592,550 6.76 1.29 8.06 1,860 5.74 0.34 6.08 
			 10 595,570 6.98 1.84 8.82 1,930 5.99 0.35 6.34 
			 11 575,850 8.06 2.43 10.49 1,880 6.03 0.72 6.75 
			 12 and above 790 5.28 3.38 8.66 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 Total(6) 2,951,570 6.82 1.42 8.24 9,430 5.45 0.35 5.81 
		
	
	
		
			   Academies  Total 
			Percentage of half days missed( 3)   Percentage of half days missed( 3) 
			  National curriculum year group  Number of day pupils of compulsory school age( 4)  Authorised absence  Unauthorised absence  Overall absence  Number of day pupils of compulsory school ag e( 4)  Authorised absence  Unauthorised absence  Overall absence 
			 6 and below 600 n/a n/a n/a 52,130 5.35 0.28 5.63 
			 7 5,030 5.61 1.11 6.72 569,150 5.73 0.58 6.31 
			 8 4,770 6.41 1.58 8.00 579,690 6.48 0.90 7.38 
			 9 4,350 6.98 2.58 9.55 598,760 6.76 1.30 8.06 
			 10 3,720 7.34 3.49 10.83 601,220 6.98 1.84 8.82 
			 11 3,570 6.94 3.89 10.84 581,300 8.05 2.43 10.48 
			 12 and above 10 3.57 4.54 8.11 800 5.26 3.40 8.66 
			 Total(6) 22,050 6.63 2.42 9.05 2,983,040 6.82 1.42 8.24 
			 n/a = Not applicable (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) See Notes to Editors 10 of SFR11/2007 for further information on how absence figures by national curriculum year group have been derived. (3) The number of sessions missed due to authorised/unauthorised/overall absence expressed as a percentage of the total number of possible sessions. (4) Pupil numbers are as at January 2006. Includes pupils aged 5 to 15 with sole and dual (main) registration. Excludes boarders. (5) Less than 5 pupils, or absence rates based on a small number of pupils. (6) Includes pupil enrolments for whom information on national curriculum year group was missing.  Notes: Totals may not appear to equal the sum of the component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: School Census

Pupils: Data Protection

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department provides on monitoring the security of IT equipment holding children's data on school premises.

Jim Knight: Becta is responsible for producing and publishing guidance for schools on how to ensure the security of their IT systems. Becta's latest guidance was published in September 2007 and is available on its website. This guidance includes information for schools on monitoring the physical security of ICT equipment, data security and the security of pupil information and data.

Pupils: English Language

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to assist teachers with the change in the number of pupils with English as a second language since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Government's policy is to encourage rapid English language acquisition as the key to successful integration into the UK education system and the wider community. Newly arrived pupils are given additional help in learning English by specialist advisers and teachers of English as an additional language (EAL) and bilingual classroom assistants, who work in collaboration with classroom teachers to plan lessons and teaching materials. The evidence indicates that EAL pupils typically catch up with their peers in attainment terms within two years of first admission to a school in England.
	The number of pupils for whom English is an additional language (EAL) rose from 500,000 to 790,000 between 1997 and 2007. Putting this in perspective, such children now comprise 12 per cent. of all pupils as against 7.5 per cent. in 1997 and 9 per cent. in 2001. Funding for EAL children has fully kept pace with these increasing numbers through:
	an element within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for primary schools which was some £256 million in 2004-05, rising to £299 million in 2007-08, with a further rise to over £330 million in 2010-11—an 11 per cent. real terms increase on the 2004-05 level;
	a substantial provision for EAL through the ring fenced Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant (EMAG), which has risen from £162 million in 2004-05 to £179 million in 2007-08 and will rise to £206 million by 2010-11—a 9 per cent. increase on the 2004-05 level;
	in addition an Exceptional Circumstances Grant (ECG) has been introduced to reflect changes in local authorities' pupil numbers which occur after the three year indicative allocations of DSG have been announced.
	These increases form part of the substantial overall increase in school funding: over the past 10 years since 1997, overall per pupil revenue funding for schools has increased by 67 per cent. in real terms. We expect local authorities to be able to manage new pressures from within these increases, and to ensure that the resources reach the individual schools affected by new arrivals and EAL speakers.
	The Government have recently launched a New Arrivals Excellence Programme intended to provide practical support for local authorities, schools and individual teachers. This programme is backed by other practical support including measures to improve the supply, training and qualifications of EAL specialist staff, and to deliver new web-based teaching and learning materials.

Pupils: Intimidation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to reduce bullying in schools since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 4 February 2008
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 159W.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was  (a) budgeted for and  (b) spent per pupil on average in (i) schools, (ii) primary schools and (iii) secondary schools in each local authority area in 2006-07; and how much has been budgeted for each category in 2007-08.

Jim Knight: The available information has been placed in the House Library.

School Meals

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of schools demonstrate a surplus on their school meals service; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The requested information is not collected centrally.

School Meals: Expenditure

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average daily cost to the public purse was of food provided in schools for each pupil in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested is not collected by this Department.

School Milk

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children aged between five and 11 were receiving school milk in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by authority.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not collect this information. However, the Rural Payments Agency has advised that in the period 1 September 2006 to 31 August 2007 subsidy on 39,524.364 kilolitres was paid. This figure divided by the maximum entitlement per pupil (250ml) and then divided by 190 school days (average) equals an average of just over 832,000 pupils per day.

Schools

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of pupils attending schools which had been built within the previous five years in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The Department does not hold information on the number of pupils attending schools which had been built within the previous five years in the last 10 years.
	In 2007, the Department collected information from local education authorities on the outputs of schools capital investment in the previous 10 years. The information they supplied showed that since 1997, there had been 1,100 new and replacement schools built.
	Central Government capital support for investment in schools has increased from under £700 million in 1996-97 to £6.4 billion in 2007-08 and will rise further to £8.2 billion by 2010-11. Over this period, increasing numbers of pupils have benefited from being in schools with new buildings.

Schools

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of how far on average  (a) primary and  (b) secondary school pupils travel to get to school in (i) Cornwall, (ii) the South West and (iii) England.

Jim Knight: The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Average straight line distance( 1)  in miles from pupil residence to school( 2)  attended 
			   Primary  Secondary( 3) 
			 Cornwall local authority 1.07 2.41 
			 South West Government office region 0.91 2.18 
			 England 0.78 1.84 
			 (1) Distance is the average straight line distance from pupil residence to the school attended, based on pupil and school postcode.  (2) Maintained schools—pupils aged 5 to 15.  (3) Secondary includes CTC and Academies.   Source:  School Census 2007. 
		
	
	A table giving this information for all local authorities in England will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Schools

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) new schools opened and  (b) schools closed in the (i) maintained and (ii) independent sector in each year since 1995; and how many schools there were open in each year.

Jim Knight: We cannot provide the information requested because it would require us to manipulate large volumes of data which could only be undertaken at a disproportionate cost.

Schools: Admissions

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will review the 10 per cent. target threshold for surplus places for  (a) all schools and  (b) rural schools; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The hon. Member refers to our guidance to local authorities on developing a primary strategy for change. There are no plans for reviewing the guidance.
	We need to ensure that local authorities are able to provide good value for money for their communities, allowing them to invest in higher standards and better facilities for pupils. One aspect of securing good value for money is taking early and decisive action to balance the demand and supply of school places, but we recognise that the extent and nature of local authority plans will depend on local circumstances.
	The guidance on preparing primary capital strategies must be read in its entirety. It explains that authorities should allow scope for parental choice, support schools with high standards, ensure schools are accessible to pupils, and take account of possible future increases in pupil numbers due to demographic changes. It also recognises that in order to preserve access for young children, there may be more empty places in schools in rural areas than in urban areas.
	The guidance asks authorities to put in place decisive plans for early action to ensure that no school has more than 25 per cent. surplus places, and I anticipate that local authorities will make these plans sensitively taking account of my recent letter which has been placed in the House Library. The 10 per cent. benchmark relates to surplus capacity across the whole primary school estate of a local authority, and not to individual schools. We want local authority strategies to set out how surplus places across the authority as a whole will be managed down over time although there is no fixed timescale.

Schools: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in England operate as their own admissions authority;
	(2)  how many  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in England have their admissions managed by (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies.

Jim Knight: Local authorities are the admission authority for community and voluntary controlled schools. Governing bodies are the admission authority for voluntary aided and foundation schools. Academies and city technology colleges also determine their own admission arrangements in line with the requirements of the admissions code and admissions taw. The following table provides details of the number of schools in each category. Local authorities may delegate responsibility for determining the admission arrangements of community and voluntary controlled schools to individual school governing bodies, but we do not collect information centrally about the number of cases in which responsibility is delegated.
	Admission authorities usually manage the process of considering applications for places themselves, but the governing body of a school which is its own admission authority may ask another body, including the local authority, to do so on their behalf. Again, we do not collect information centrally about the number of cases in which this happens.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools( 1) : number of schools by category, January 2007, England 
			   Number of schools 
			   Primary  Secondary 
			 LA Admission Authority Schools 13,268 2,225 
			 Of which:   
			 Community 2,542 2,112 
			 Voluntary Controlled 10,726 113 
			
			 Admission Authority Schools 4,093 1,174 
			 Of which:   
			 Voluntary Aided 3,731 554 
			 Foundation 362 564 
			
			 CTCs and Academies n/a 56 
			 n/a = not applicable Source: School Census

Schools: Biometrics

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether planned guidance on the collection of biometric data in schools will be made available other than on the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency website.

Jim Knight: There are currently no plans to make the guidance on the collection of biometric data in schools available elsewhere other than on this website.

Schools: Buildings

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of poor quality school buildings which are situated in deprived areas; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department has not made an estimate of the number of poor quality school buildings which are situated in deprived areas.
	For primary schools, the most deprived areas will receive higher levels of funding in the Primary Capital Programme. For secondary schools, deprivation is a factor determining the prioritisation of funding in the Building Schools for the Future Programme.
	Central government capital support for investment in schools has increased from under £700 million in 1996-97 to £6.4 billion in 2007-08 and will rise further to £8.2 billion by 2010-11. A substantial proportion of capital funding is targeted at transformational programmes, such as those referred to above.

Schools: Catering

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what steps the Government have taken to improve kitchen facilities in schools since 1997;
	(2)  how much the Government have spent on school kitchen facilities in the West Midlands in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The Government have increased the capital available for investment in school buildings sevenfold in real terms between 1997 and 2010. In 1996-97, it was under £700 million: by 2010-11 it will be more than £8.2 billion a year. Most of this funding can be used for school kitchens where this is the local priority. Authorities and schools in the West Midlands will get over £1 billion over the next three years. For each of the next three years, a typical secondary school will get over £113,000 of its own money and a typical primary over £34,000 which can be used to improve kitchens and dining areas if they wish. Additionally, we are providing £150 million of targeted funding by 2010 to support authorities install new kitchens in schools which have none and where there is exceptional need.
	In 2007 the Department published "Inspirational Design for Kitchen and Dining Spaces" to give good guidance to authorities and schools on how to build kitchens that are efficient and suitable to cook good healthy food, and dining areas that are attractive to children and encourage healthy eating. This was prepared in consultation with the School Food Trust and industry professionals.
	Investment decisions are made locally and the Department does not collect information on how much authorities and schools have invested in kitchen facilities. In 2007, authorities provided information on school building projects, including that in the previous 10 years there had been improvement to kitchens and serveries in over 2,300 schools nationally. The School Building Investment Data are available in the parliamentary libraries, showing the information from each local authority.

Schools: Closures

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools have closed each year since 1997, broken down by local authority.

Jim Knight: The numbers of secondary and primary school closed in each year since 1997, by local authority, are given in the table which has been placed in the Library.
	Schools can be closed for a number of reasons including: to meet demographic changes (population decline); as part of an amalgamation; to allow a Fresh Start school to replace a school in special measures; to allow a school with a religious character to replace a school without a religious character; or as part of another type of local reorganisation.
	The figures also show closures as part of the Local Government Reorganisation programme.
	It was not mandatory to supply school closure dates prior to January 2002 and therefore the figures for the years 1997 to 2002 may not be complete.

Schools: Community Relations

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to encourage schools to open their facilities to community groups.

Beverley Hughes: Opening school facilities to the community is one of the key elements of the extended schools core offer. We are committed to all schools providing access to the core offer of extended services by 2010 with at least half of all primary and a third of secondary schools doing so by September 2008.
	Where a school has facilities suitable for use by the local community (e.g. playing fields, halls, sport and IT facilities) they are encouraged to open these up to meet the needs of the community in response to local demand. Schools are expected to consult with pupils, parents and the local community before providing extended services.

Schools: Community Relations

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much income has been generated by maintained schools in England providing facilities for community groups in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: Opening school facilities to the community is one of the elements of the extended schools core offer. We are committed to all schools providing access to the core offer of extended services by 2010 with at least half of all primary and a third of secondary schools doing so by September 2008.
	Information is not collected centrally on the number of school facilities that have opened up for extended school provision or how much schools charge for their facilities. Local authorities have different systems and variable rates around schools charging community groups to use their facilities.

Schools: Crimes of Violence

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many assaults there were on school teachers in 2005-06 which led to exclusions, broken down by  (a) category of assault and  (b) local education authority; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The number of incidents of assaults towards staff in schools is not collected centrally. The Department does collect information on the reasons why pupils have been excluded, either for a fixed period or permanently. This includes a category for "physical assault against an adult" although this is not broken down by category of assault.
	Local authority level tables showing the number of permanent and fixed period exclusions by reason have been placed in the library. For 2005-06 this information is only available for secondary schools due to underlying changes in the data collection. For 2006-07 this coverage will extend to also include primary and special schools.

Schools: Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what expenditure on schools was as a proportion of gross domestic product in each year since 1997; what estimate he has made of the likely proportion in each year until 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department is unable to answer the question in the way it has been asked. The information is not held on a UK basis. However, spending on education in England is set to rise to £63.7 million in 2007-08. The Government will increase spending in education as a proportion of GDP to 5.6 per cent. in 2010-11. This compares to 4.7 per cent. of GDP spent on education in 1996-97.
	
		
			   Total  Government education spend as a proportion of GDP 
			 2007-08 5.6 
			 2008-09 5.6 
			 2009-10 5.6 
			 2010-11 5.6

Schools: Finance

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what factors determine the level of the dedicated schools grant per pupil in Plymouth is below the national average; and what the dedicated school grant per pupil is in  (a) Plymouth and  (b) England.

Jim Knight: The distribution method for Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) starts from each authority's budgeted spend for schools in 2005-06, which largely reflects the historical allocation of resources through the Schools Formula Spending Share (FSS) formula, which gave additional funding for additional educational needs, sparsity, and area costs. The DSG per pupil for Plymouth is below the national average because it attracts no additional funding for area costs or sparsity, and its proportion of funding for additional educational needs at 11.6 per cent. is only slightly above the national average of 11.3 per cent. for 2006-07. The DSG guaranteed unit of funding per pupil for Plymouth will be £3,889 in 2008-09, rising to £4,198 in 2010-11. The England averages are £4,066 and £4,398.

Schools: Isle of Wight

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of surplus places there were in each of the last three years in  (a) primary,  (b) middle and  (c) high schools on the Isle of Wight.

Jim Knight: holding answer 5 February 2008
	We do not collate figures for middle schools as they are deemed to be either primary or secondary schools. The percentage of surplus places in primary and secondary schools (including middle schools) on the Isle of Wight in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Primary  Secondary 
			 2007 18 12 
			 2006 13 11 
			 2005 12 10

Schools: Offensive Weapons

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what powers teachers have to confiscate weapons on school premises; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 275W.

Schools: Rural Areas

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether all proposals to close rural schools have to be called into the Secretary of State for decision.

Jim Knight: Local authorities are responsible for deciding proposals to close schools, including rural schools. Where there is an appeal against closure, the schools adjudicator makes the decision. Ministers do not have a role in this process. In coming to a decision local authorities and the adjudicator must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Those who may appeal against a local authority decision are the local Church of England and Roman Catholic dioceses, the governors and trustees of a foundation or voluntary school proposed for closure, and the Learning and Skills Council where proposals relate to a secondary school.

Schools: Rural Areas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many rural schools closed in each year between 1996 and 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department has only maintained information on rural schools closures since 1998. The number of rural schools closed in each year between 1998 and 2007 is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Year  Number of rural school closures 
			 1998 5 
			 1999 2 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 3 
			 2002 5 
			 2003 12 
			 2004 9 
			 2005 8 
			 2006 7 
			 2007 12

Schools: Rural Areas

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many surplus places there are in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools designated as rural schools.

Jim Knight: The most recent data available on the number of surplus school places relate to January 2007. In primary schools designated as rural there were 111,187 (14 per cent.) surplus places. Rural secondary schools are not designated but are identified as being in an area classified as rural by the Office of National Statistics. In rural secondary schools there were 33,326 (7 per cent.) surplus places.

Schools: Rural Areas

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what rural  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools have closed in Cornwall since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Department has only maintained information on rural school closures since 1998. Rural primary schools that have closed in Cornwall between 1998 and 2007 are listed in the table. There have been no rural secondary school closures since 1998.
	
		
			  School name  Date of closure 
			 Lanreath CofE VC Primary 31 August 2007 
			 Penzance Infant and Junior Schools(1) 31 August 2005 
			 Tresilian Infant 31 August 2004 
			 Barncoose Primary 31 August 2002 
			 Nine Maidens Primary and Carnkie Primary(1) 31 August 2002 
			 (1)Two schools on two separate sites amalgamated and were replaced by a new school on a new site in the same area. 
		
	
	The table excludes amalgamations of infant and junior schools where the resulting primary school was located on the same site.

Schools: Science

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to improve science facilities in schools since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Government have been and continue to be committed to improving science facilities in schools as part of their aim to transform all school buildings. More than £31 billion has been invested in school buildings since 1997 including through Schools for the Future and Academies during which time 6,644 new or refurbished laboratories have been provided.
	This year £6.7 billion of funding is available for investment in schools, and this will rise to £8.2 billion a year by 2010-11. Most of this can be invested in science facilities where this is the local priority.
	This unprecedented level of investment is a marvellous opportunity to create science facilities that inspire learners and teachers alike. With this in mind my Department set up Project Faraday in 2006, developing exciting design ideas at 12 demonstration schools that can act as 'exemplars' for science provision, to inspire and inform local authorities and schools.
	A book showing the exemplar designs will be published later this month. The first built project will be completed at the end of 2008.

Schools: Standards

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  under what circumstances an executive board will take over the management of a failing school, as outlined by the Prime Minister in his speech of 31 October 2007;
	(2)  what powers an executive board taking over management of a failing school will have to improve that school;
	(3)  who will sit on the executive boards proposed by the Prime Minister to take over failing schools.

Jim Knight: The Prime Minister's speech indicated that the use of interim executive boards (IEBs) may be one of several measures to help raise standards in low attaining secondary schools.
	Local authorities have existing legal powers to apply to the Secretary of State for permission to replace the governing body of a school with an IEB when, after an Ofsted judgment, a school is in special measures, or requires significant improvement. The power may also be used when a school has received a valid Warning Notice under section 60 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006,
	The Secretary of State also has reserve powers to replace the governing body of a school with an IEB when a school is in special measures or requires significant improvement.
	The IEB is the governing body of the school for the time it is in office. It has all the powers and responsibilities of a governing body. The IEB's main functions are to secure a sound basis for future improvement in the school and promote high standards of educational achievement.
	Members of an IEB are chosen on a case-by-case basis by the appropriate authority, that is, the local authority or the Secretary of State, depending on the origin of the intervention.
	Since the introduction of the policy in 2002, IEBs have proved to be an effective way of improving the leadership of failing schools.

Schools: Vocational Guidance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government plan to take to improve career advice services in schools.

Beverley Hughes: We are taking a range of measures to improve the quality of the careers advice received by young people in schools.
	We are seeking to place a statutory duty on schools to deliver careers education impartially. This will be backed up by guidance to which schools will be required to have regard.
	The Children's Plan announced several measures designed to improve the quality of careers provision in schools; for example, by promoting experiential learning and by providing materials to support more effective peer mentoring. It also announced pathfinder projects in primary schools designed to explore the benefits of early careers interventions in extending young people's horizons and raising aspirations.
	And we are looking at ways of ensuring the delivery of high quality careers education within the new PSHE: Economic Well Being curriculum. This is expected to include the development of new curriculum guidance and the provision of high quality teaching materials for use in the classroom. We are also looking into new arrangements for the continuing professional development of the careers workforce.
	Schools' careers support for young people is backed up by external, independent advice from the Connexions service. From April 2008 responsibility for Connexions will pass to local authorities which will enable them to make improved links with other services for young people. Local authorities will also be expected to have regard to recently published "Quality Standards" which set out my Department's expectations of the information, advice and guidance services that they will provide.

Science: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to encourage students to choose single science GCSEs.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 21 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1737-38W.

Secondary Education

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many of the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest performing 100 secondary schools, as listed in the Government's achievement and attainment tables for 2007, had (i) fewer than 500 pupils, (ii) between 500 and 1,000 pupils and (iii) more than 1,000 pupils in that year.

Jim Knight: The information requested can be found in the House of Commons Library.

Secondary Education: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were on the roll  (a) in each secondary school and  (b) at special schools in Enfield in each of the last five years; and how many children in Enfield with special educational needs attended special schools outside Enfield in each year.

Jim Knight: The requested information is shown in the tables.
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1) , p osition in January each year 2003 to 2007, Enfield local authority 
			 Headcount of pupils 
			  School name  LA number  Estab number  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Maintained Secondary Schools
			 Edmonton County School 308 4007 1,599 1,639 1,657 1,636 1,660 
			 Kingsmead School 308 4015 1,345 1,357 1,376 1,390 1,392 
			 Winchmore School 308 4026 1,420 1,449 1,478 1,476 1,468 
			 The Gladys Aylward School 308 4027 1,425 1,408 1,430 1,427 1,359 
			 Southgate School 308 4029 1,609 1,594 1,595 1,553 1,532 
			 Enfield County School 308 4030 1,093 1,115 1,142 1,120 1,122 
			 Chace Community School 308 4037 1,204 1,221 1,210 1,214 1,224 
			 Lea Valley High School 308 4038 977 970 1,007 1,061 1,143 
			 Salisbury School 308 4041 1,444 1,457 1,446 1,355 1,254 
			 Highlands School 308 4043 696 927 1,179 1,307 1,394 
			 Bishop Stortford's School 308 4702 1,019 1,052 1,079 1,075 1,076 
			 St. Anne's Catholic High School for Girls 308 4706 1,061 1,096 1,090 1,102 1,098 
			 The Latymer School 308 5400 1,354 1,363 1,377 1,415 1,397 
			 Broomfield School 308 5401 1,237 1,266 1,311 1,344 1,376 
			 Albany School 308 5402 1,391 1,448 1,447 1,455 1,452 
			 St. Ignatius College 308 5403 1,118 1,122 1,108 1,112 1,148 
			 Enfield Grammar School 308 5404 1,131 1,130 1,129 1.112 1,122 
			 
			  All special schools
			 Durants School 308 7000 96 80 83 87 94 
			 West Lea School 308 7002 105 100 108 101 88 
			 Aylands School 308 7004 33 32 33 35 34 
			 Oaktree School 308 7005 86 90 78 78 90 
			 Waverley School 308 7007 108 106 103 104 106 
			 Russet House School 308 7008 69 56 70 69 72 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils.   Source:  School Census. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of pupils resident in the Enfield area who are attending special schools, either within or outside the borough( 1) , p osition in January each year 2003 to 2007, Enfield local authority 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Attending special school in Enfield LA 447 416 425 425 438 
			 Attending special schools outside Enfield 163 166 154 125 99 
			 Total 610 582 579 550 537 
			 (1) Excludes independent special schools.   Source:  School Census.

Sure Start Programme: Tyne and Wear

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many families have received  (a) healthcare and  (b) other support from the Sure Start programme in Houghton and Washington East in the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: Data on how many families have accessed health and other support services from the Sure Start programmes over the last five years is not collected centrally. Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs) have assessed their own progress against a range of outcomes for children and families as part of their local level monitoring and evaluation. Local evaluation reports can be obtained directly from the programme or from the National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS) website www.ness.bbk.ac.uk The report for Sure Start Hetton and Houghton in 2005 shows that, based on 95 responses out of a survey sample of 240, 93 per cent. were satisfied or very satisfied with their antenatal services, 96 per cent. (of 58 responses) were happy with the baby clinic, and 90 per cent. with the health visiting services. The 2005 report for Sure Start Monument shows that, based on 92 responses out of a survey sample of 260, 98 per cent. were satisfied or very satisfied with their antenatal services, 92 per cent. with the baby clinic, 91 per cent. with the health visiting service and 90 per cent. with their GP surgery. The information in these reports is locally collected and is not validated by the NESS team or the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Teachers: Food Technology

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers qualified in food technology are employed in each London borough.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not currently available.
	It is expected that the new School Workforce will be in place in 2010 and it will provide more detailed information on qualifications of teachers.

Teachers: Qualifications

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to bring forward specific proposals for the structure of the proposed Masters degree for the teaching profession.

Jim Knight: As we said in the Children's Plan, we will work with the social partnership for school work force reform and with the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) to agree how we realise our ambitions to make teaching a Masters level profession. We will publish more detailed proposals for the structure of the Masters degree as soon as we are ready to do so.

Trade Unions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what meetings he has had with trade union officials since 1 July 2007; on what dates; and with which trade unions.

Kevin Brennan: Ministers meet many people as part of the process of policy development. It is not normal practice to disclose details of such meetings.

Truancy

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the rate of unauthorised absence was in each school in each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The information requested is available as part of the Achievement and Attainment tables and can be found at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/

Truancy

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of pupils took unauthorised absence in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2007, broken down by local authority.

Kevin Brennan: The rate of overall absence in primary schools in 1996/97 was 6.1 per cent.; this has reduced to 5.3 per cent. for the first two terms of the 2006/07 academic year, the latest period for which information is available. For secondary schools the overall absence rate fell from 9.1 per cent. to 7.8 per cent. over the same period.
	The standardisation of codes for pupil absence and attendance in 2006 has lead to a tightening of authorisation of absence from schools, correspondent with an increase in unauthorised absence in the context of falling overall absence.
	For primary schools the unauthorised absence rate in 1996/97 was 0.5 per cent.; for the combined autumn term 2006 and spring term 2007 (the latest period for which figures are available) this had changed to 0.52 per cent. For secondary schools the rate of unauthorised absence changed from 1.1 per cent. in 1996/97 to 1.46 per cent. in autumn term 2006 and spring term 2007.
	Tables showing the absence rates by local authority for both 1996/97 and combined data for autumn term 2006 and spring term 2007 have been placed in the House Library.

Truancy

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many local authorities have a dedicated local pupil tracking officer to identify children missing from education.

Jim Knight: All local authorities have met the requirement to have a named individual responsible for identifying children missing education and their role includes proactively tracking pupils. Local authorities use different job titles for this responsibility which some have chosen to call pupil tracking officers.

Vocational Training: Finance

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the total value is of the fund set aside to support grants given under the Train to Gain skills development programme.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	The Train to Gain service is designed to meet employers' specific skill needs and thus is flexible in what it can fund, but there is no 'Train to Gain skills development programme' and thus no funds set aside for support grants given under it.
	In 2006/07 we invested £270 million in Train to Gain supporting directly delivered learning. The expansion of Train to Gain means the budget is £524 million in 2007/08 and is projected to rise to over £1 billion in 2010/11.
	We have set out our ambitions to reach more employers and to drive up levels of investment in skills in Train to Gain: A Plan for Growth, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

Work Experience

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the 10 types of work experience placement most frequently attended by schoolchildren were in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: 95 per cent. of learners participate in work-experience at key stage 4 (years 10 and 11) which represents around 550,000 learners each year. Information on types of placement is not held centrally by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for managing the network of Education Business Link Organisation Consortia through which work-experience is brokered and which hold information about the range and type of work-experience placements. Mark Haysom, the chief executive of the LSC has written to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 4 February 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked; "What the 10 types of work experience placement most frequently attended by schoolchildren were in the last year for which figures are available."
	The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for contracting with Education Business Link Organisation Consortia through which work experience placements for 14-16 year olds are brokered.
	The last year for which figures are available is the 2005-2006 academic year; in that year the 10 sectors which had the highest numbers of young people placements were:
	Education/Training
	Retail
	Business
	Catering
	Personal Service
	Leisure Services
	Community Care
	Engineering
	Mechanical
	Construction
	These placements represent 92.4% of the total number of work experience placements for the year.

Young People: Sports

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the impact of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 on 17-year-olds playing open age sport.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 18 February 2008
	We have received useful feedback on the issue of under 18-year-olds playing in open age sport from stakeholders in the sports sector during the course of last year. It is not our intention to make any activity a regulated activity unnecessarily, particularly if that means children could be denied access to a wide range of sporting activity.
	As a consequence of feedback from stakeholders we are currently consulting on the proposal that activities relating to the teaching, training and instruction of children aged 16-17 years should not be considered to be regulated activity, where the 16 and 17-year-old is part of an activity aimed at mixed age groups which includes adults. The proposals can be found in paragraphs 3.11-3.12. of the consultation document on the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006: Independent Safeguarding Authority scheme which is available on the Department for Children Schools and Families consultation website. The consultation will run until the 20 February 2008.
	The Department for Children Schools and Families, Department of Health and Home Office will continue to consulting widely with stakeholders including sports bodies and organisations and will continue working with the Department for Culture Media and Sport and sports bodies to help inform Regulations and prepare for implementation of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

Young People: Unemployed

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of  (a) 16 and 17-year-olds and  (b) 18 to 24-year-olds of each sex were not in education, employment or training in the latest period for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Estimates of participation in education, training and employment for those aged 16-18 are published annually by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DGSF) in a Statistical First release (SFR) each June. The most recent SFR relates to end 2006 and can be found at the following link:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000734/index.shtml
	Table 1 shows the numbers and proportions of academic age 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England at end 2006.
	
		
			  Table 1: Proportion and number of young people aged 16 and 17 not in education, employment or training (NEET) by gender in England , end 2006( 1) 
			   Age 16  Age 17 
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 Female 13,500 42 27,500 8.6 
			 Male 29,300 8.6 35,200 10.4 
			 Total 42,800 6.5 62,700 9.5 
			 (1 )Provisional. 
		
	
	The DGSF does not publish estimates of those NEET above academic age 18. However, it is possible to produce estimates for 18 to 24-year-olds from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Estimates for England from the LFS, relating to the first quarter of 2007, are shown in Table 2. It is important to note that the LFS will not produce estimates that directly match those from the Department's Participation SFR, and that they will be subject to sampling error and respondent error. The LFS estimates of population size by cohort also differ from the Participation SFR. LFS estimates are also provided for young people of academic age 16-18 for comparison with the Department's estimates above.
	
		
			  Table 2: Proportion and number of young people aged 18-24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) by gender in England, Labour Force Survey, Quarter 1, 2007 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Female 393,000 18.1 
			 Male 277,000 13.1 
			 Total 670,000 15.6

WALES

Departmental Correspondence

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were employed in his Department's ministerial correspondence unit in each of the last five years; and how much it cost to run the unit, including utilities and other expenses, in each year.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has a single correspondence unit which deals with all forms of correspondence, ministerial and other, as well as related issues. This unit's staff complement over the last five years has been three.
	Many other Wales Office staff will work on ministerial correspondence as part of their work. It is not possible to quantify this.
	Our costs are not readily available in the format requested, and obtaining these could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Information Officers

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were employed in his Department's press office in each of the last five years; and how much it cost to run the office, including utilities and other expenses, in each year.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has had three press officers in its press office in each of the last five years.
	Our costs are not readily available in the format requested, and obtaining these could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of the senior Civil Service in his Department have received an honour.

Paul Murphy: None.

Sunbeds

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on numbers of  (a) sunbed salons and  (b) unsupervised sunbed salons in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: I have regular meetings with the Welsh Assembly Government on a range of issues.
	I understand the Welsh Assembly Government supports the annual Sunsmart campaign, run by Cancer Research UK, advising people about the risks of using sunbeds.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) personal digital assistants and  (c) laptop computers issued to House of Commons staff were reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen in each year since 2001.

Nick Harvey: Records held on lost, missing or stolen mobile telephones, personal digital assistants and laptop computers are not differentiated between owners, i.e. Members or Members' staff or House of Commons staff, nor between those issued by the House of Commons Service and those owned personally by Members or others. Lost and missing items are not separately recorded.
	The total number of reported  (a) lost or missing and  (b) stolen items in the years 2001-08 is given as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Lost or missing 
			   Mobile telephones  PDAs  Laptops 
			 2001 4 0 0 
			 2002 4 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 
			 2004 0 1 0 
			 2005 0 0 0 
			 2006 5 0 0 
			 2007 14 0 1 
			 2008 2 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Stolen 
			   Telephones  PDAs  Laptops 
			 2001 3 0 8 
			 2002 4 0 3 
			 2003 5 0 3 
			 2004 0 1 3 
			 2005 3 0 (1)18 
			 2006 1 0 4 
			 2007 0 0 1 
			 2008 2 0 0 
			 (1)( )17 laptop computers purchased by PCD were stolen from the back door of 7 Millbank in 2005 but these items had not at that time been allocated to Parliamentary users.

Department of Finance and Administration: Operating Costs

Martyn Jones: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much the Department of Finance and Administration cost to run in 2007.

Nick Harvey: The total resource cost of running the former Department of Finance and Administration for the year ended 31 March 2007 was 9,045,000. This figure includes a significant level of corporate expenditure which is not directly attributable to the direct costs of running the Department. Some of the larger corporate items during 2006-07 included contracts management (1,084,000), specialist advice (1,023,000) and child care vouchers (229,000).

Political Activities

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 28 January 2007,  Official Report, column 3W, on political activities, how many and what percentage of staff working in the House are politically restricted.

Nick Harvey: Staff in catering, craft, cleaning and Vote Office porter roles are politically unrestricted. These members of staff represent 20.1 per cent. (395) of the House of Commons service. The other 79.9 per cent. (1,573) of staff are not necessarily politically restricted, but must obtain permission from their Departmental Establishment Officer (DEO) to take part in any political activity. Of these, 0.1 per cent. have requested and been granted permission for specific political activities. Staff in the Senior Commons Structure (SCS), staff in regular direct contact with Members in support of the business of the House and its committees, and those who provide information, briefing or advice to Members will not normally be given permission to take part in political activity. There are 86 SCS staff (4.4 per cent.), but it is not readily possible to identify the numbers of staff in the other categories.

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission which  (a) rooms,  (b) furniture and  (c) telephone facilities are allocated to recognised trades unions on the parliamentary estate for their exclusive use.

Nick Harvey: The recognised trade unions in the House have exclusive use of three rooms on the parliamentary estate. Two rooms are located in 2 The Abbey Garden and one in Portcullis House. In 2 The Abbey Garden, one room is furnished with a standard desk, a small meeting table and chairs, a filing cupboard and a bookcase. The office has computer equipment, two telephones and a fax facility. The second room is furnished with a large table and chairs, and has a telephone and modem facilities. The room in Portcullis House is furnished with a desk and meeting chairs. It has computer equipment, a fax machine, a small photocopier, a shredder and one telephone line.

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission which trades unions have recognition agreements with the House authorities.

Nick Harvey: The following trade unions have recognition agreements with the House administration: PDA, Prospect, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and the General Municipal and Boilermakers Union (GMB).

NORTHERN IRELAND

Crime: Victims

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to inform relatives of victims who have been murdered when a convicted murderer is released from prison in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme provides for close family members, who have registered under the scheme, to receive details about the release of individuals convicted of murdering their relatives.

Firearms

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal firearms he estimates are in circulation in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: As any estimate about the number of illegally-held weapons in Northern Ireland would be based on intelligence, it is the long-standing policy of the Government not to comment upon such matters.

Firearms: Licensing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what consideration is given to  (a) imprisonable and  (b) non-imprisonable driving offences when determining an application for a firearms licence in Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what consideration is given to criminal convictions, spent or otherwise, when determining an application for a firearms licence in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland has advised that applications for firearms certificates are assessed on a case by case basis and all relevant information, including criminal convictions, is taken into consideration in determining whether an applicant is a fit person to possess firearms within the meaning of Articles 5 and 63 (Prohibited Persons) of the Firearms (NI) Order 2004 and Appendix 2 of the Guidance on Northern Ireland Firearms Controls.

Firearms: Licensing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are applied to applications for firearms licences in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland has advised that all applications for firearms certificates are subject to the provisions of the Firearms (NI) Order 2004 and with reference to the Guidance on Northern Ireland Firearms Controls as published by the Northern Ireland Office.
	The Order and Guidance can be viewed at:
	www.nio.gov.uk/index/firearms.htm

Official Engagements

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many engagements his predecessor undertook between 1 January 2007 and 27 July 2007.

Shaun Woodward: During the time in question and up until I took office on 29 June 2007, my predecessor carried out the full range of his ministerial responsibilities.

Organised Crime

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of organised crime in Northern Ireland; and what steps he plans to take to tackle this problem.

Paul Goggins: The Organised Crime Task Force Annual Report and Threat Assessment for 2006-07 highlights a range of threats from organised criminal gangs in Northern Ireland. Key threats include drugs, criminal finance, public sector fraud, intellectual property crime and paramilitary involvement in organised crime.
	The Organised Crime Task Force has had significant successes in tackling organised crime and continues to work to improve our effectiveness in disrupting the criminals and raising public awareness of the impact of organised crime and the role everyone can play in tackling it.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers there are in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, broken down by  (a) sex and  (b) religious belief.

Paul Goggins: The figures shown in the following table are as at 1 February 2008 and relate to regular officers only.
	
		
			  Regular officers as at 1 February 2008 
			   Number  Percentage 
			  Total number of Regular Officers 7,402  
			
			  Gender   
			 Male 5,771 77.97 
			 Female 1,631 22.03 
			
			  Community background( 1)   
			 Protestant 5,460 73.76 
			 Catholic 1,753 23.68 
			 Not Determined 189 2.56 
			 (1) The PSNI currently meets statutory monitoring obligations in line with the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (NT) 1998, the Fair Employment (Monitoring) Regulations (NI) 1999 and the Police (NI) Act 2000, by monitoring community background. The PSNI holds data on members who are members of the Roman Catholic community, the Protestant community and on those who belong to neither community. The PSNI does not currently monitor beyond these categories. 
		
	
	We remain on track to reach our target of 30 per cent. Catholic composition within PSNI regulars by March 2011.

Prisoners: Contraceptives

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that condoms are made available in prisons in Northern Ireland to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Paul Goggins: I reviewed this matter very recently. The incidence of HIV and hepatitis infection in Northern Ireland is low and a survey published by the Northern Ireland Prison Service in 2005 showed that the incidence of blood borne infections in its establishments was very low indeed. Therefore, although the issue will be kept under review, there are no current plans to make condoms freely available to prisoners.

Real IRA

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of members of the command structures of the  (a) Real IRA and  (b) Continuity IRA;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of former Provisional IRA members who are now members of the  (a) Real IRA and  (b) Continuity IRA.

Paul Goggins: As I am sure the hon. Gentleman is aware it is the longstanding policy of the Government not to comment on matters of intelligence. No matter how many individuals are involved in terrorist activity in Northern Ireland the Government have every confidence in the Police Service Northern Ireland to combat the threat they pose.

Real IRA

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports he has received of Real IRA and Continuity IRA involvement with organised crime and criminal gangs  (a) inside and  (b) outside Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The International Monitoring Commission regularly reports on the activities of paramilitary groups' involvement in organised crime, including the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA. The Organised Crime Task Force has had significant success in disrupting organised criminal gangs and we are determined to tackle organised crime from whatever source it comes.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Leader of the House how many of her Department's personal digital assistants have been  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each of the last five years; and what the value of those items was.

Helen Goodman: The Leader of the House of Commons Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be answering this question shortly on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Government Bills

Mark Hoban: To ask the Leader of the House how many  (a) amendments and  (b) Government amendments were made to Government Bills by end of the Report Stage in the House in each Session since 1997-98.

Helen Goodman: There is no single source of all such amendments. Therefore it is not possible to answer the question, especially over such a time period, without incurring disproportionate cost.

Legislation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Leader of the House how many powers to enable primary legislation to be amended or repealed by secondary legislation have been enacted in each of the last 30 years.

Helen Goodman: The Government accept that powers to amend primary legislation by secondary legislation should only be created where circumstances make it necessary or appropriate to do so.
	However, there is no single source of all such provisions. It is therefore not possible to answer the question, especially over such a lengthy time period, without incurring disproportionate cost.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Apprentices: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps the Government plan to take to increase the number of apprenticeships in the west midlands.

David Lammy: West Midlands Learning and Skills Council plan to increase apprenticeships by around 4 per cent. in 2008-09. Projections are for 12,550 apprenticeship starts with 8,415 completions and a further 5,620 advanced apprenticeship starts with 3,385 completions in 2008-09. The overall completion rate will be 65 per cent. which represents a rise of 3 per cent. on the projected 2007-08 level The plans to increase apprenticeship numbers reflect our ambitions for growth outlined in the recent report of the 'Apprenticeship ReviewWorld-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All', published on 28 January 2008.
	The increase in apprenticeships in the west midlands will be achieved by re-directing funding to high performing providers, introducing the apprenticeship matching service, developing closer employer engagement, removing support for poorly performing provision and introducing new opportunities for young people to prepare to undertake an apprenticeship.

Higher Education: VAT

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the total Value Added Tax (VAT) paid by higher education institutions in each of the past five years; and what forecasts he has made of such VAT receipts expected in each of the next five years.

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on the amount of VAT paid on individual goods and services.

Ministerial Science Group

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the membership of the Ministerial Science Group is; how frequently the group has met in the last 12 months; and what subjects it has considered.

Tom Watson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministerial Sub Committee on Productivity, Skills and Employment, which superseded the Sub Committee on Science and Innovation, has responsibility for issues relating to science. Details of the Committee's membership and terms of reference can be viewed at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/secretariats/committees/edpse.aspx
	or in the Library of the House.
	Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet committees, including the number of meetings held and topics discussed is generally not disclosed.

TRANSPORT

A628

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by the Highways Agency on preparation for the A628 Mottram to Tintwistle bypass public inquiry to date.

Tom Harris: The A57/A628 Mottram Tintwistle Bypass Public Inquiry started in June 2007 but took a number of years of preparation to get to this stage. Approximately 11.8 million has been spent by the Highways Agency on preparation for the A628 Mottram Tintwistle Bypass scheme.

Dartford Tunnel: Tolls

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revenues have been received from the Dartford Crossing tolls for the period during which this programme object has had a comparability factor of 100 per cent. for the purpose of the application of the Barnett Formula.

Rosie Winterton: The annual provision for the Dartford crossing toll receipts on which the Barnett formula comparability factor is based is 67 million as set out in the October 2007 Statement of Funding Policy. Previous years' revenues, since the regulatory charge was introduced for the Dartford Crossing in 2003, were:
	
		
			million 
			 2003-04 68.1 
			 2004-05 69.0 
			 2005-06 69.3 
			 2006-07 69.0

Railways: Bicycles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bicycles were carried by train by each train operating company in each year since 1997; how many bicycle spaces were provided on the railways  (a) at the latest available date and  (b) in 1997; and which train operating companies have increased the number of bicycle spaces on board their rolling stock since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.
	We continue to encourage train operators to carry bikes on trains where possible. The Department's Cycling Policy document and the White Paper published last year set out our policy: train operators should facilitate the carriage of cycles on off-peak services and accept the folding cycles at all times. However, during the peak hours, where capacity is under pressure, it can be in the interests of the majority of passengers not to permit non-folding cycles on board. It is for individual train operators to determine which services cannot accommodate non-folding bicycles and of course to determine the number of bikes which can be carried at other times.
	We want all Train Operating Companies to take into account the wider benefits of cycling when considering both investments in cycle facilities and their own rules for carrying cycles. This is particularly important when procuring new rolling stock where Space for bicycles must be considered.
	The White Paper also announced the setting up of a task force to look into how bike and rail journeys can be better integrated. The task force includes the Association of Train Operating Companies, Network Rail, Passenger Focus and Cycling England. I look forward to hearing about their progress.

Railways: Swindon

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will ensure that the doubling of the Swindon to Kemble railway line takes place in 2009.

Tom Harris: The Government are supportive of rail growth to meet the needs of our growing economy and we have specified and funded the high level improvements in capacity, safety and reliability required by 2014. It is for the industry to determine the enhancement schemes required to deliver this specification, subject to independent evaluation by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Roads: Tolls

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in respect of which tolled road crossings in England  (a) tolls have ceased to be levied in the last five years and  (b) there are proposals to cease to levy tolls.

Rosie Winterton: The only tolled undertaking in England where a toll has been removed in the last five years is the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing, where tolls ceased in April 2003 after the construction costs of the QE2 bridge had been paid for and a maintenance fund built up. The toll was succeeded by a regulatory charge under the Transport Act 2000, at the same level as the previous toll.
	I am not aware of any formal proposals from concessionaires to cease the levying of tolls prior to the end of any concession agreement.

Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the value was of each grant provided by her Department, its associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies to  (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council,  (b) Shropshire county council and  (c) Telford and the Wrekin borough council in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what grants have been planned for 2008-09.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has provided grants and funding allocations for Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council, Shropshire county council and Telford and Wrekin borough council and has announced funding for 2008/09 as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  000 
			  DfT Funding  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			  Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council( 1) 
			 Special grant for concessionary fares   (2)391 
			 
			  Shropshire county council 
			 Integrated transport capital allocation 4,476 4,388 4,425 
			 Maintenance capital maintenance allocation 13,859 14,322 13,386 
			 Capital grant for de-trunked roads 880 1,810 291 
			 Resource grant for de-trunked roads 645 661 677 
			 Major schemes - A53 Hodnet Bypass 209   
			 Transport Innovation Fund pump priming 477.3 (3)377.8-  
			 Specific road safety grant  885.12 917.41 
			 Rural bus challenge 130 6  
			 Rural bus subsidy grant 1,032 1,056 1,083 
			 Kerbcraft child pedestrian training scheme 24.29   
			 Links to school 38   
			 
			  Telford and Wrekin borough council 
			 Integrated transport capital allocation 2,259 2,191 2,154 
			 Maintenance capital maintenance allocation 1,808 1,687 1,923 
			 Capital grant for de-trunked roads 210  260 
			 Resource grant for de-trunked roads 119 122 126 
			 Rural bus subsidy grant 124 127 131 
			 Special grant for concessionary fares   (2)513 
			 (1) Most funding for the Shrewsbury and Atcham area is allocated to Shropshire county council, which then determines its distribution. (2) Provisional amounts. (3) To date only part of this payment has been paid, outstanding payment still to be made. 
		
	
	Information on grants provided by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is held by the bodies themselves. This information is not held centrally.

Street Works

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1068W, on street works, what assessment she has made of the ability of local authorities to implement street works regulations from 1 April.

Rosie Winterton: A large majority of local authorities consider that they can implement the new street works regulations, laid in July 2007, from 1April 2008. It is the responsibility of authorities and undertakers to ensure that they are compliant with legislation.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Birds: Nature Conservation

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the conclusions of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Working Group meeting in July 2007 were on the illegal trade in falcons; and whether these conclusions were taken into account in deciding whether to retain the  (a) peregrine falcon and  (b) merlin in the bird registration scheme.

Joan Ruddock: The meeting noted that although research indicated that illegal trade in falcons is occurring, it is likely to involve single offenders and not organised crime groups. The Wildlife Law Enforcement Working Group considered that the level of criminality may increase if significant changes to Schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act were introduced (i.e. a significant reduction in the number of birds required to be registered) and once Animal Health move to recover the full cost of registering Schedule 4 species and issuing CITES paperwork.
	The meeting's conclusions, which did not specifically cover the peregrine falcon or merlin, were taken into account by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) in its strategic assessment of UK wildlife crime. This, in turn, informed the development of wildlife crime priorities for 2007-08.
	The NWCU indicated in its strategic assessment that the persecution of birds of prey occurs across the majority of the UK. The persecution of birds of prey (of which the taking of birds for the commercial market is a small component) is an area where the NWCU is collecting and analysing intelligence.
	My Department will take into account the NWCU assessment when considering which species should remain on Schedule 4.

Carbon Emissions: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of total UK carbon emissions was estimated to be produced in  (a) Ribble Valley constituency and  (b) Lancashire County Council area in each year since 2000.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 25 January 2008
	The most recent estimates available show that in 2005  (a) Ribble Valley local authority area accounted for 0.3 per cent. and  (b) Lancashire county council area accounted for 2.0 per cent. of end user carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. It is not possible to provide consistent estimates for years prior to this.
	Estimates of carbon dioxide emissions which relate specifically to Ribble Valley constituency are not available, and figures covering the Ribble Valley local authority area have been provided as a close approximation. Lancashire county council area includes the following local government districtsBurnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, the Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Wyre.
	These estimates exclude emissions, which could not be spatially disaggregated to local authority level; such as aircraft emissions, further information is available on the DEFRA website.

Energy Using Products Directive

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action the Government is taking to ensure that the Energy Using Products Directive does not have an adverse impact upon UK plants' manufacturing control systems.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The Eco-design for Energy Using Products Framework Directive (EuP) aims to deliver EU objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the negative environmental impacts of products and to ensure free trade in energy-using products. It is a Single Market Directive brought forward under article 95 of the EU treaty.
	The EuP framework has involved a wide range of consultation and interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the Commission's initial proposals at the EU consultation forum on 29 February or in writing up to three weeks after that.

Environment Agency: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the current and proposed budget of the Environment Agency with regard to planned expenditure in  (a) capital and  (b) revenue schemes.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency budget for flood risk management in England in 2007-08 is 265 million revenue and 192 million capital. This is funded largely by direct grant in aid from DEFRA and by precepts on internal drainage boards, beneficiary contributions and other miscellaneous income. Additionally some 26 million will be raised and spent locally through Regional Flood Defence Committee levies on local authorities.
	DEFRA grant to all operating authorities for flood and coastal erosion risk management in 2008-09 will be 559 million. This comprises 251 million for Environment Agency revenue expenditure and 308 million capital to be divided between the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards. The capital budget has yet to be allocated to individual projects by the agency and it is not possible therefore to say how much will be spent on agency projects. These figures do not include agency income from other sources, but local levies are planned to raise a further 27 million in 2008-09.

Environment Agency: Pay

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the operational budget of the Environment Agency was spent on staff salaries in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: The figures are available from the Environment Agency's 2006-07 annual report and accounts, a copy of which is in the House Library.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what flood defences have been built in each of the last 10 years; and what the  (a) final construction costs and  (b) original contract prices were in each case.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency forecast to have completed over 240 projects in the five years to 1 April 2008.
	Information on final construction costs and original contract prices for each case cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Floods: Gloucestershire

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the steps taken to reduce the risk of flooding in Gloucestershire since the floods of summer 2007.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency's estimated annual spend in Gloucestershire on controlling development, flood warning and awareness, flood risk mapping, maintenance of flood defences and watercourses is 1.5 million. The Environment Agency has spent an extra 400,000 estimated in Gloucestershire since the summer floods of 2007 on flood recovery, data collection, watercourse maintenance and repairs to flood defence assets.
	At the Government's request, Sir Michael Pitt is carrying out an independent review of last summer's floods and published an interim report in December. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has stated that the Government agree with all 15 of the urgent recommendations in this report and will work with other organisations involved in implementing them.

Plastics: Waste Management

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals for incentives to companies proposing to invest in innovative plastics reprocessing facilities in England.

Joan Ruddock: My Department is funding the following work to provide incentives to companies proposing to encourage investment in plastics reprocessing.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) current manufacturing programme is developing major projects that switch significant manufacturing processes from virgin material to recycled material input. This includes projects to incorporate up to 30 per cent. of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) in the manufacture of one-quarter of the UK's plastic milk bottle production. This work involves capital support for new equipment and work with local authorities to increase collection of plastic bottles. The new demand created by the project is encouraging the development of plastics reprocessing facilities. Furthermore, WRAP is providing direct support through its business growth programme to develop the recycling sector.
	WRAP is also undertaking trials with a number of technologies with the aim of understanding the best ways to handle mixed plastics from an environmental, economical and technological perspective. The programme is investigating three main areas: collection, reprocessing, and end markets. Different recycling and recovery options are being considered as part of this work, including reprocessing mixed plastics into new plastics, incineration, chemical treatment and even turning them into diesel. WRAP's focus on mixed plastics follows on from the successful uptake of plastic bottle recycling.
	WRAP is also currently finalising its business plan for the three-year period April 2008 to March 2011. This is likely to build on its present work on plastics collection, reprocessing and end markets, with the intention of incentivising further investment in each of these areas.
	We also support industrial symbiosis via the UK wide National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP). With over 10,000 members, NISP employs industrial symbiosis to bring together companies from all business sectors with the aim of improving cross industry resource efficiency through the commercial trading of materials, energy and water and sharing of assets, logistics and expertise.
	Over the last three years, NISP has helped industry release over 16.2 million in private investment in plastics reprocessing facilities across the UK. Working with over 70 companies nationwide specifically on plastic reprocessing, NISP has helped recover almost 60,000 tonnes of plastics through landfill diversion, whilst actively helping to safeguard over 90 jobs and generating a further 39 new jobs in the plastics reprocessing industry through increased sales and cost savings of over 32 million.
	For example, NISP has been working with Chem Polymer Ltd. to secure private investment of over 1 million which has led to the generation of over 10 million in increased sales. Working on landfill diversion of plastic wastes, NISP has helped Petlon Polymers Ltd. generate sales in excess of 10 million as a result of increased plant throughput.

Radioactive Wastes: Storage

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to publish  (a) the letter to be sent to local authorities in respect of volunteer communities for the prospective hosting of a nuclear waste repository and  (b) the local authority recipients to whom the letter is to be sent.

Phil Woolas: Responses to the recent consultation document A Framework for Implementing Geological Disposal are still being considered. Once that process has been completed, we will publish a White Paper setting out the next steps. This will happen later in the year. At that stage, we expect to invite communities to express an interest in entering into discussions about the siting process, and in finding out more about what hosting a facility might involve. Decisions on how this invitation is to be made and publicised have yet to be taken.

Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much recyclable waste was  (a) landfilled,  (b) incinerated and  (c) sent overseas for disposal in each year since 1997.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The UK Plan for Shipments of Waste, which sets out Government policy on shipments of waste, prohibits the export of waste from the UK for disposal with very few exceptions. Waste may be exported for recovery, including recycling.
	DEFRA does not have available data on the amount of recyclable waste that is sent abroad for recycling. However, based on HM Revenue and Customs export data, it is estimated that in 2006, the UK exported some 8 million tonnes of metal scrap, 4 million tonnes of paper, 441,000 tonnes of plastic and 136,000 tonnes of glass cullet for recycling. These figures will include recyclable materials collected from all sources including households, commerce and industry.
	Statistics for waste arisings and disposal are available only for 1998-99 and 2002-03. In 1998-99, 51 per cent. of household, business and construction/demolition waste in the UK was sent to landfill and 32 per cent. was recycled, with the rest being sent to other recovery or disposal routes, including incineration. In 2002-03, the amount landfilled decreased to 43 per cent., with the amount recycled increasing to 43 per cent.
	It is difficult to give a precise estimate of the proportion of the wastes not recycled which could have been recycled in a cost-effective manner, but the Government believe their target for average recycling of municipal waste of 50 per cent. (compared with 31 per cent. in 2007) by 2020 is realistic.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research and opinion polling his Department has commissioned on introducing variable charging for household waste in the last 12 months.

Joan Ruddock: My Department commissioned the '2007 Survey of Public Attitudes and Behaviours' towards the environment, undertaken by the British Market Research Bureau, which included a section on attitudes to recycling and sought views on whether individuals would favour a system that rewarded them if they recycled everything they could and penalised them if they didn't. 52 per cent. of residents were in favour of this statement with 23 per cent. not in favour.
	In addition, Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd. produced a report for DEFRA on the project 'Modelling the Impact of Household Charging for Waste in England'. This report is published on DEFRA's website.

Wind Power: Noise

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Environment Agency has undertaken of the noise produced by the WS 1200 wind turbine; when that assessment will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	Under the Microgeneration Certification scheme, the Government are working with key stakeholders, including industry, to develop installation and product standards for micro wind turbines. These standards will address issues to do with airborne and structural vibration noise.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient spares for Mastiff armoured vehicles are available in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: Mastiff availability has never dropped below the critical 85 per cent. availability rate. We work hard to ensure that sufficient spares are delivered to our forces; in the vast majority of cases adequate re-supply to theatre takes place in a timely fashion. A number of measures are being introduced to improve the operational availability of the Mastiff fleet on operations in both theatres. In particular we have put in place an agreement with the US manufacturer to allow the UK Integrator to manufacture, and also to be able to procure spares direct from source. In addition we have established a spares handling warehouse within the US, exclusively to meet UK requirements.

Afghanistan: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Mastiff armoured vehicles are deployed in Afghanistan; and how many more he plans to deploy.

Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the precise number of Mastiff vehicles currently deployed in Afghanistan as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
	The Ministry of Defence continually reviews the requirements for protected mobility and where necessary deploys additional resources. As the Prime Minister announced on 8 October 2007, another 140 Mastiff are being purchased by the Ministry of Defence to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Viking vehicles are deployed in Afghanistan; and what plans he has to increase that number.

Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the precise number of Viking vehicles currently deployed in Afghanistan as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
	The Ministry of Defence continually reviews the requirements for protected mobility and where necessary deploys additional resources. There are no current plans to deploy additional Viking vehicles to support operations in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Medical Services

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of protection is provided to medical locums serving in Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 February 2008,  Official Report, column 57W.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) helicopters available with winching equipment,  (b) Pinzgauer vehicles and  (c) mine resistant Mastiff trucks were available and being used by the British forces in Southern Afghanistan in January 2008.

Bob Ainsworth: Regarding the availability of helicopters fitted with winching equipment, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Congleton (Ann Winterton) on 24 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2136W.
	Regarding the number of Pinzgauer and Mastiff vehicles available to British forces in Southern Afghanistan, I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Afghanistan: Rifles

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to supplying the Barrett Light 50 sniper rifle to snipers deployed in Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: The Barrett Light 50 sniper rifle is in service with UK forces and is available for operational use should commanders require the specialised capability.

Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many offences under the  (a) Naval Discipline Act 1957,  (b) Army Act 1955,  (c) RAF Act 1955 and  (d) Armed Forces Act 2006 resulted in (i) disciplinary action and (ii) convictions in each of the last 10 years, broken down by offence.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held centrally by the Army or the Royal Air Force and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The information held by the Royal Navy is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Summary Dealing 
			  Offence  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  (to date) 
			 Absent Without Leave (including desertion)1095 1085 1345 1105 985 1100 625 
			 Failure to report deserters/absentees(1)  (1)   (1)  
			 Insubordinate Behaviour40 40 70 50 50 50 55 
			 Disobedience to lawful Command40 45 40 40 30 40 30 
			 Disobedience to Standing orders380 410 465 390 350 310 295 
			 Resisting Arrest(1)   (1)   (1) 
			 Escape from confinement(1)  (1) 
			 Offences in relation to Courts Martial(1)   
			 Conduct Prejudice to Naval Discipline175 150 175 130 85 80 60 
			 Failure to attend Duty/Leaving post595 570 745 745 720 760 275 
			 Malingering  (1) 
			 Neglect/negligent performance of duty50 50 60 45 40 55 35 
			 Drunkenness295 280 300 260 240 230 425 
			 Possession of Class A drug10 (1) 10  (1) (1) (1) 
			 Possession of Class B Drug5 (1) (1) (1)   (1) 
			 Possession of Class C drug   (1) (1) (1)  
			 Possession class B with intent to supply  (1) 
			 ABH(1) 5 10  5   
			 Common Assault70 60 75 40 30 20  
			 Fighting threatening words/Behaviour60 55 70 65 25 45 50 
			 By or in relation to Sentry/watch15 30 25 15 15 15 15 
			 Offences against theft act40 15 50 10 10 (1)  
			 Other Theft Offences(1) 15 (1) (1)  (1)  
			 Falsification of Documents20 25 40 25 15 15 5 
			 False Statement on entry(1)   
			 Other Fraud Offences (1)  
			 Issues and Decorations 25 80 165 105 150 110 
			 Obstruction of Provost Personnel (1) (1)   (1)  
			 Other civil Offences45 25 25 20 20 45 55 
			 Misapplication of service/public property5  10 10  10  
			 Criminal Damage(1) (1) 5  (1)   
			 Public Order Offences(1) (1) (1)  (1)   
			 Offences against Morale(1)   
			 Loss of service or public Property5  15 10 25  10 
			 Sexual Offences (M on F, F on M)(1)   
			 Gross indecency(1)   
			 Other Offences of Violence(1) (1)  (1)  (1) (1) 
			 Indecent Assault (1)(1)  
			 Indecent exposure (1)  
			 Disgraceful Conduct (1)  (1) (1) (1) (1) 
			 Disgraceful Conduct Homosexual  (1) 
			 Damage to service Public Property 20 15 40 5 20 5 
			 Other damage to property (1)  
			 Unauthorised disclosure of documents  (1) 
			 Other security Offences  (1) 
			 Causing annoyance by low flying  (1) 
			 Low Flying  (1) 
			 Negligent discharge of weapon  (1) 
			 Other Damage to property   (1)
			 Lying   (1)
			 Inaccurate certificationair/seaworthiness(1)   
			 Offences against Civilians (1)  
			 Total2,970 2,915 3,650 3,170 2,765 2,960 2,065 
			 (1) Denotes fewer than 5.  Notes: 1. Information on Summary Dealings prior to 1 January 2001 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.  2. All entries are guilty findings as Summary acquittal statistics are not captured. 3. Still awaiting a small number of returns for 2007.  4. The introduction of a process to deal with minor acts of indiscipline administratively has reduced the number of cases put before a CO in 2007.  5. All numbers are rounded to nearest five. Due to the rounding methods used totals may not equal the sum of the parts. 
		
	
	
		
			  Court Martial 
			  Offence  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  (to date) 
			 Absent Without Leave (including desertion) 5 (1) (1) (1) (*) 5 10 (*) 15 (*) 20 (*) 5 10 
			 Insubordinate Behaviour (1) (1)  (1) (1) 5 10 (*) 20 (*) (1) (1) 
			 Disobedience to lawful Command (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 5 (*)   10 5 
			 Disobedience to Standing orders (1)   (1) (*) (1) (1) 15 (*)  (1) 5 
			 Resisting Arrest (1)  
			 Conduct Prejudice to Naval Discipline (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 10  5   
			 Failure to attend Duty/Leaving post (1)  (1) 5  (1) 
			 Malingering(1)   
			 Neglect/negligent performance of duty (1)  (1)  5 5 (1) 10 (1)  
			 Drunkenness 20 10 15 5 10 (1) 10 (*) 10 (1) (1) 
			 Possession of Class A drug (1) (1) (*) (1) 5 (5) 5 (5) (1) (*) (1) (1) (1) (*) (1) 
			 Possession of Class B Drug (1) 5 (*) (1) (*) (1) 5 (*)  (1) (*)
			 Supplying class B drug (1)  (1) (*)
			 Possession class C with intent to supply  (1) 
			 Other drug related offence/Laundering money  (1) 
			 ABH 10 (1) 10 5 (*) 5 5 (*) 10 5 15  
			 GBH/endangering life by admin of poison (1)  
			 GBH(1) (*)  (1) 
			 Common Assault 10 15 25  30 (*) 30 (*) 25 (*) 25 10 (*) 5 
			 Fighting threatening words/Behaviour 10 5 (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 5   
			 Other offences of violence(1) (1) (*)  5 (*) 15  (1) 
			 By or in relation to Sentry/watch   (1)  (1) (1) (1)  (1) (1) 
			 Offences against theft act (1) (*) 5 (*) 10 (*) (1)  35 (5) 20 10 (*) 10 (*) 20 
			 Other Theft Offences (1)  (1) (*) 15 (15)  10 15 10  (1) 
			 Falsification of Documents (1)  (1)  (1)   30 (20)  (1) 
			 False Accounting  (1) (*)  (1) (*) (1) (*)   (1)  (1) 
			 Other Fraud Offences   (1) (1) (*) (1) (*)  
			 Ill treatment of Subordinate (1)  
			 Other civil Offences(1) (1)(1) (1) 
			 Misapplication of service/public property  (1)  (1)   (1)   (1) 
			 Damage to service Public Property (1)  (1) (1)  (1) (*)  (1) (1)  
			 Criminal Damage   (1)  (1)   (1)   
			 False witness  (1) 
			 Forgery  (1)  (1) (*) (1) (*)  
			 Using False instrument (1) (*) (1) 
			 Sexual Offences (M on F, F on M)   (1) (1)(1)  (1) (*) 
			 Other Offences of Violence  5   5  
			 Indecent Assault(M on M)   (1) (*) (1) (*) (1) (1) 5(*) (1)   
			 Indecent Assault   10
			 Rape/Attempted rape  (1) 
			 Disgraceful Conduct  (1) (*) (1)
			 Indecent exposure (1)  
			 Indecent Assault (F on F)  (1) 
			 Other sexual Offences  (1) 
			 Other damage to property (1)  
			 Other security Offences   (1)
			 Causing annoyance by low flying  (1) 
			 Other Damage to property  (1) 
			 Evading liability by deception (1)  
			 Total (charges) 75 65 95 70 85 140 155 185 80 95 
			 Total (guilty) 75 60 85 40 70 120 135 155 75 90 
			 (1) Denotes fewer than 5.  Notes: 1. Figures in brackets indicate acquittals with '*' = fewer than 5. 2. Contains figures on offences rather than Courts Martial 3. All numbers are rounded to nearest five. Due to the rounding methods used totals may not equal the sum of the parts.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) sets of body armour,  (b) AK47 assault rifles,  (c) underslung grenade launchers for AK47s and (d) 9mm pistols are owned by UK forces.

Bob Ainsworth: Since 2006 approximately 24,550 sets of Osprey body armour and 3,766 sets of Kestrel body armour have been procured. Like Osprey and Kestrel, enhanced combat body armour (ECBA) is composed of a number of components, but because it is available in a range of sizes, comes from various suppliers, and its individual component usage rates vary, it is not possible to say exactly how many complete sets have been procured. Records are not kept of the number of components lost or destroyed, and hence it is also not possible to say exactly how many sets are currently owned by UK forces.
	However every person is issued with a complete set of ECBA prior to deployment on operations. To ensure that sufficient operational stock is always available we monitor our requirement closely. At present between 14,000 and 16,000 sets of ECBA are being issued to personnel entering operational theatres, every six months. Further stocks are also held in theatre for maintenance purposes.
	In addition, there is a pool of approximately 8,000 sets of ECBA which is used for training purposes.
	The MOD does not procure or support AK47 assault rifles or underslung grenade launchers for AK47s. However, UK forces own a number of AK47 assault rifles as specimens, museum pieces and such like. Information on the numbers owned are not held centrally.

Bowman Combat Radio System: Batteries

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the defects in Bowman batteries on  (a) armed forces personnel and  (b) civilians in operational theatres, broken down by incident; and for what reason the Bowman batteries were recalled.

Bob Ainsworth: There have been no known incidents involving Bowman battery defects that have impacted upon armed forces personnel or civilians in operational theatres.
	However, in 2006, all Bowman high frequency (HF) mark 1 radio batteries were recalled when it became evident that an immersion requirement had not been met and water ingress could occur.

Fair Trade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the use of fair trade goods  (a) in staff catering facilities and  (b) at official departmental functions and meetings; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: There are no mandatory policy requirements in place for the procurement of fair trade products. MOD catering services are usually provided as part of a site multi-activity contract and may include a pay-as-you-dine requirement for catering services in military establishments. The MOD is committed to supporting ethical trading, wherever possible, subject to the need to obtain best value for money. Each catering contractor may choose to offer fair trade products in their tender for a contract but a bid cannot be rejected or considered non-compliant because it does not include any desired fair trade options. After contract award, contract documents can be used to make it clear that, where the winning tenderer is able to provide fair trade options, such products should be made available.
	The requirements for official functions and meetings are usually procured through the on-site catering service.

Helicopters

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many attack helicopters are owned by British forces; and how many are in active service in each location.

Bob Ainsworth: British Forces own 67 attack helicopters of which 49 are in the forward fleeti.e. available for usein Wattisham, Middle Wallop and Afghanistan.
	I am withholding a breakdown of the forward fleet numbers by location as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Influenza: Disease Control

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, column 48W, on influenza: disease control, if he will place in the Library copies of  (a) Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic in the UK,  (b) Use of Influenza Vaccines and Antivirals in the events of an Influenza Pandemic and  (c) Pandemic InfluenzaInfection Control Guidelines for Military Settings; what further guidance the Defence Medical Services Department plans to issue on pandemic influenza; what elements of business continuity the generic influenza exercise scenario is designed to test; whether the scenario has been used to test business continuity; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: I will place copies of the requested documents in the Library of the House. Currently the Defence Medical Service Department have no plans to issue further guidance. The Ministry of Defence follows the guidance of the Department of Health as the lead Government Department for pandemic flu planning.
	On the issue of business continuity, the generic influenza exercise scenario is designed to test that business continuity plans are able to maintain (or recover) and deliver Defence critical outputs in the event of a pandemic, which may result in the long-term absence of staff. As a secondary issue, the exercise scenario helps to raise awareness among staff of the threat of a pandemic, and its associated potential impacts. The MOD used the influenza scenario to test the pan-Defence Flu Framework in March 2007. MOD top level budgets and trading funds and agencies (down to business unit level) have also been encouraged to test their own business continuity plans using the influenza scenario.

Military Aircraft

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hercules 170 aircraft have foam suppressants fitted to their wing tanks.

Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the UK armed forces.
	All Hercules C-130 aircraft that are routinely deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are now fitted with explosion suppressant foam.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any  (a) replacement lifting gear and  (b) temporary alternative arrangements were considered for those Chinook helicopters in theatre which had their winches removed.

Des Browne: I will write to the hon. Member.

Ministry of Defence Votes A

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of each of his Department's  (a) ACO 85 and  (b) Votes A returns for each month since 2005-06.

Bob Ainsworth: Copies of DASA (Army)'s ACO 85 and Votes A Return need to be collated. Once this has been completed I will place copies in the Library of the House. ACO 85 was last published in March 2007.

Missiles: Procurement

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many  (a) Aster 15 and  (b) Aster 30 missiles will not now be purchased as a result of the forecast 30 million reduction in procurement costs;
	(2)  whether financial penalties will be incurred as a result of reducing the order for Aster missiles by 30 million.

Bob Ainsworth: No final decisions have been taken on the numbers of missiles that will be required. As with all capability decisions, this will be considered in the context of defence requirements, affordability and value for money. Commercial and contracting strategies, including financial penalties, also form part of these considerations.

Peacekeeping Operations: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the mine/improvised explosive device resistant vehicles in service with British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: We continually keep the effectiveness of our vehicle fleet in Iraq and Afghanistan under review in order that UK forces are properly protected against the continually evolving threat, including that from mines and improvised explosive devices. I am withholding the detail of the relative protection of different vehicle types as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Reserve Forces: Job Satisfaction

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department carries out separate continuous attitude surveys for reserve forces.

Bob Ainsworth: Continuous attitude surveys are currently carried out annually by the Royal Navy to cover the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Marine Reserve, and by the Army to cover the Territorial Army. The Royal Air Force conduct surveys biennially and planning for the latest is currently under way. All of these surveys are aimed specifically at reserve forces.

Russia: Land Mines

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with his Russian counterpart on improving information on legacy mines to reduce mine casualties amongst UK armed forces personnel.

Des Browne: I and my NATO colleagues meet regularly with the Russian Defence Minister in NATO-Russia Council meetings to discuss issues of mutual concern.

Vector Aerospace

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has agreed to guarantee to Vector Aerospace a specified volume of work from his Department; and if he will set out details of the arrangements agreed with Vector Aerospace.

Bob Ainsworth: There has been no guarantee given to Vector Aerospace for a specified volume of work. The intention is to transfer the extant commercial contracts for DARA's Rotary and Components businesses to Vector Aerospace on the existing terms and conditions.
	Vector Aerospace has legally undertaken to retain the operational capability currently provided in the UK and has given a full commitment to meet all employment and pension protections. Throughout the sale process, it has remained our priority to secure the best decision for Defence.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many live Child Support Agency claims there were in Peterborough in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 21 January 2008
	 The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 19 February 2008:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many live Child Support Agency claims there were in Peterborough in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.
	The attached table shows all live cases where the parent with care has a Peterborough address broken down to show their assessment type and whether any maintenance is due to be paid.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Number of Peterborough live cases being handled by the Child Support Agency 
			   Interim maintenance assessment  Nil maintenance liability  Positive maintenance liability 
			 September 2007 10 890 1,660 
			 September 2006 10 940 1,330 
			 September 2005 10 900 1,230 
			 September 2004 20 900 1,050 
			 September 2003 20 910 990 
			 August 2002 40 1,040 1,300 
			 August 2001 40 1,000 1,240 
			  Notes: 1. Includes all cases with an assessment/calculation on both old and new scheme. 2. September data have been provided each year from 2003 onwards. Prior to this only quarterly data are available so August data have been used. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 4. Based on the postcode of the parent with care.

Children: Maintenance

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will commission research to establish how frequently Child Support Agency clients are advised by the Agency to contact their hon. Member to make progress on their case.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 19 February 2008:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will commission research to establish how frequently Child Support Agency clients are advised by the Agency to contact their hon. Member to make progress on their case.
	The Agency does not gather data on the number of clients referred directly to Members of Parliament for resolution of their cases, as this does not form part of the Agency's complaints process. Under the Agency's Operational Improvement Plan, the Agency reviewed the complaints handling process, and designed a new streamlined approach which focuses on earlier resolution through the introduction of specialist caseworkers responsible for resolving all aspects of our clients' complaints.
	Complaints Resolution Teams based in each of our main centres take responsibility for resolving all complaints. If having been through this process the client still remains dissatisfied, the Agency's Complaints Review Team based at Durham House, Washington will review their case. This two stage process aims to promote earlier and complete resolution and reduce the number of complaints escalated to the Chief Executive, Ministers and the Independent Case Examiner (ICE).
	The Agency therefore will advise clients of the options open to them should they be dissatisfied about how their case has been handled and this will include advising a client to contact their MP, should the client wish to take issue with current child support policy. It is however clearly inappropriate for the Agency to direct clients to their Member of Parliament if the Agency has mishandled their case.
	Should the hon. Member continue to find that his constituents are advised to contact him, I would like to be informed.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many cases the Child Support Agency holds which have outstanding debt;
	(2)  what proportion of total child support debt is owed  (a) to the Secretary of State and  (b) to parents with care;
	(3)  what proportion of the 3.7 billion child support arrears relates to cases on the  (a) old child support computer system and  (b) the new child support 2 computer system.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 19 February 2008:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	; and
	; and
	What proportion of the 3.7 billion child support arrears relates (a) to cases on the old child support computer system and (b) the new child support computer system.
	The Agency reports the amount of outstanding debt in its Annual Report and Accounts, the latest version of which is held in the House of Commons library. The information requested is supplementary to that reported and this additional analysis therefore does not include the provisions applied as a result of the annual debt analysis exercise within the Agency's accounts.
	This debt is owed by non-resident parents as a result of their failure to meet their responsibilities to their children. The Agency is committed to recovering as much of the outstanding debt as possible and is significantly increasing collections under the Operational Improvement Plan.
	At the end of November 2007, the latest period for which these figures are available, the Child Support Agency had 1,056,500 cases with outstanding debt. Of the total debt outstanding, we estimate that 53 per cent is owed to the Secretary of State and 47 per cent to parents with care. Of this debt, we estimate that 56 per cent related to cases on the old child support computer system, and 44 per cent to cases on the new child support computer system.
	The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill proposes to strengthen and streamline the range of enforcement and debt management powers that will be at the disposal of the Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission. These will be used both to encourage ongoing compliance to prevent the new debt building up, and to enable more of the accumulated debt to be recovered.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the 1.5 billion child support debt regarded as collectable is owed  (a) to the Secretary of State and  (b) to parents with care.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available.

Low Incomes

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of bus transport as a proportion of incomes of less than  (a) 30 per cent.,  (b) 40 per cent.,  (c) 50 per cent. and  (d) 60 per cent. of the median in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what estimate has been made of the cost of bus transport as a proportion of incomes of less than (a) 30 percent, (b) 40 percent, (c) 50 percent, and (d) 60 percent of the median average in each year since 1997 (185862).
	Estimates of household income are provided in the ONS analysis 'The effects of taxes and benefits on household income'. The latest analysis for 2005/06 was published on the National Statistics website on 17th May 2007 at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/taxesbenefits.
	The analysis is based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey, which is a sample survey covering approximately 7,000 households in the UK. The EFS has been used for this response because it collects both income and expenditure data.
	The most common and internationally recognised threshold to measure poverty is income below 60 per cent of median. The sample size for the number of households with an income below 30 per cent of median is too small to yield reliable results. In addition presenting information for households with an income of 40 or 50 per cent of median income can be misleading. One reason for this is that households stating the lowest incomes may not actually have the lowest living standards. Many households who report very low incomes appear to have high spending equivalent to households higher in the income distribution.
	The table provided shows bus and coach expenditure as a percentage of household unequivalised disposable income for households that have income of 40, 50 and 60 percent below median income. Due to the issue of small sample size, an average for the period 2000/01 to 2002/03 and 2003/04 to 2005/06 has been provided. Data for 1997/1998 to 1999/00 is not available. In addition figures showing only bus fares could not be provided as expenditure on bus and coach fares are collected as one item.
	
		
			  Bus and coach fares as a percentage of median household disposable income( 1: ) United Kingdom 
			  Percentage 
			   Households where income is below 40% of median  Households where income is below 50% of median  Households where income is below 60% of median 
			 2000-01 to 2002-03 0.8 0.7 0.6 
			 2003-04 to 2005-06 0.6 0.7 0.6 
			 (1) Unequivalised household disposable income.  Note:  Ranked by unequivalised disposable income.  Source:  Office for National Statistics

Minimum Wage

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will consider the merits of paying apprentices a wage at least as great as the young persons' rate of the minimum wage.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for AH published on 28 January 2008 confirms that the Government will be asking the Low Pay Commission to look at the whole issue of apprenticeship pay in the future.
	We also recognise the need to ensure that apprentices in learning today are receiving at least the current minimum apprentice wage of 80 per week. We will therefore ask the LSC, as a matter of urgency, to write to all employers and providers contracted to the LSC to deliver apprenticeships to reiterate their contractual responsibility to ensure all their apprentices are paid at least the minimum weekly amount, and to check on compliance through the existing audit arrangements. We will also ask the new National Apprenticeships Service to work with employers and the TUC to publicise the national helpline for apprentices who believe they are being paid less than the minimum apprenticeship wage, and also look at how the current minimum could be more effectively enforced.

National Insurance: Edinburgh

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance numbers were issued in the city of Edinburgh in each of the last 18 months, broken down by parliamentary constituency of recipient.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 21 January 2008
	Information on the total number of national insurance numbers issued is not available at the level requested.

Occupational Pensions

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of private sector employers which offer pension schemes with contributions above three per cent.; and what percentage of occupational pension schemes this figure represents.

Mike O'Brien: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available shows approximately 300,000 private sector employers offer a contribution above three per cent to pension schemes (defined benefit schemes, defined contribution schemes, group personal pension schemes, stakeholder pension schemes and personal pensions)

Pensions: Elderly

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women over state pension age on 5 April 2010 would benefit if the reduction from 39 to 30 in the number of qualifying contribution years required for a full basic pension applied to them; and what estimate he has made of the additional cost for 2010-11.

James Plaskitt: The estimated total additional net cost in 2010-11 of reducing the number of qualifying years required for a full basic sate pension to 30 for women over sate pension age in 2010 is around 1 billion in 2007-08 price terms. It is estimated that around 2 million women would gain more basic state pension as a result of this.
	 Notes
	1. GB estimates based on the Government Actuary's Department Retirement Pension model.
	2. This is an estimate of the net annually managed expenditure cost of re-assessing basic state pension entitlement of all women pensioners in 2010 against 30 qualifying years, rather than just the cohort that reach state pension age in 2010.
	3. These net costs take into account expenditure on income-related benefits.

Pensions: Females

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimated weekly rate of basic pension will be payable in 2010-11 to  (a) a woman reaching age 60 years on 6 April 2010 with a contribution record of (i) 10, (ii) 15, (iii) 20, (iv) 25, (v) 30, (vi) 35 and (vii) 39 qualifying years and  (b) a woman one day younger with a similar contribution record.

James Plaskitt: The estimated weekly rates of basic state pension payable in 2010-11, to a woman reaching state pension age on 6 April 2010 with a contribution record of (i) 10, (ii) 15, (iii) 20, (iv) 25, (v) 30, (vi) 35 and (vii) 39 qualifying years are shown in the following table. A woman one day (or more) younger will receive the same amounts. The number of qualifying years required for a full basic state pension for anyone reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 is 30 years.
	
		
			  Number of qualifying years  Estimated weekly rate of basic state pension payable in 2010-11 , for a woman reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 () 
			 (i) 10 31.90 
			 (ii) 15 47.85 
			 (iii) 20 63.80 
			 (iv) 25 79.75 
			 (v) 30 95.70 
			 (vi) 35 95.70 
			 (vii) 39 95.70 
			  Notes: 1. For a woman reaching state pension age on 6 April 2010, qualifying years may be comprised of contributions and/or credits including home responsibilities protection. For these women, each complete year of home responsibilities protection awarded under the existing rules will be converted into a qualifying year for basic state pension. 2. We have uprated the current level of basic state pension by the Retail Prices Index, using Treasury economic assumptions. The level of basic state pension, in 2010-11, is forecast to be 95.70 per week. 3. Estimated weekly amounts are presented rounded to the nearest 5p.  Source: DWP Modelling

Social Security Benefits

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the most common length of time was for each benefit delivery centre or processing site that social fund applicants had to wait for  (a) initial decisions,  (b) internal reviews,  (c) applications awaiting any action and  (d) applications not yet registered, or best estimate thereof in the most recent period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 15 January 2008
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 February 2008:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what the most common length of time was for each benefit delivery centre or processing site that Social Fund applicants had to wait for initial decisions, internal reviews, applications awaiting any action and applications not yet registered, or best estimate thereof in the most recent period for which figures are available. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Information is available only for initial decisions.
	The most common clearance times (mode) for discretionary Social Fund applications in November 2007 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Most common (modal) length of time for clearing applications in November 2007 (working days) 
			  Social fund benefit delivery centre by region  Community care grants  Crisis loans  Budgeting loans 
			  East of England
			 Essex n/a 1 2 
			 Norwich BDC 1 1 7 
			 
			  East Midlands
			 East Midlands North 7 1 4 
			 South East Midlands 7 1 6 
			 
			  London
			 Balham3 10 and 11 1 7 
			 Ilford 5 1 2 
			  North East
			 Northumbria 6 1 4 
			 South Tyneside and Wear Valley 2 1 5 
			 Tees Valley 5 1 5 
			 
			  North West
			 Greater Liverpool 10  6 
			 Chorlton BDC 8  4 
			 
			  Scotland
			 Inverness BDC 11  3 
			 Springburn BDC 12  3 
			 
			  South East
			 Milton Keynes BDC 25  11 
			 
			  South West
			 South West Central 6  5 
			 
			  Wales
			 Llanelli BDC 14  5 
			 South East Wales 8  8 
			 
			  West Midlands
			 West Midlands SF 5  11 
			 
			  Yorkshire and Humberside
			 Y  H Bradford 3 and 4  4 
			 Y  H Sheffield 2  1 
			  Notes 1. Insufficient data are available for Essex for Community Care Grants. This is because of a limitation of the Management Information System. 2. Numbers are based on applications cleared in November 2007, not on applications received during that month. 3. The two figures given are the most common clearance times (the same number of Community Care Grant applications were cleared in each number of working days).  Key: BDC -Benefit Delivery Centre SF - Social Fund YH -Yorkshire and Humberside  Source: DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System

Sonia Poulton: Child Support Agency

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his statement of 24 July 2007,  Official Report, column 230WH, when the Child Support Agency case of Sonia Poulton will be resolved; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 17 January 2008
	 The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 19 February 2008:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his statement of 24th July 2007 Official Report column 230WH when the Child Support Agency case of Sonia Poulton would be resolved; and if he would make a statement.
	As details about individual cases are confidential I have written to you separately about this case.

Sunbeds

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress is being made on updating Health and Safety Executive Leaflet INDG209 on sunbeds.

Anne McGuire: My noble Friend Lord McKenzie and my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health met on 23 January to discuss how best to take forward HSE leaflet INDG209 in the context of the Government's Cancer Reform Strategy, announced in December 2007. It was agreed that HSE would put out for consultation a revised draft update of the leaflet and that a joint letter will be sent to the hon. Member to inform her more fully of the outcome of this meeting.

Winter Fuel Payments

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 28 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1414W, on winter fuel payments, how much was spent on making winter fuel payments to pensioners living outside the UK in 2006-07, broken down by country of recipient's residence.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 15 January 2008
	European Community law means that some benefits acquired in one member of state must be paid to people when they move to another country within the European Economic Area. Winter Fuel Payments are only paid to former UK residents living in the European Economic Area if they qualified for payment before leaving the UK. The number of Winter Fuel Payments made to former UK residents living in the EEA is in the following table.
	
		
			  2006-07 
			  By country   
			 Gibraltar 16,600 
			 Republic of Ireland 755,250 
			 Austria 20,650 
			 Belgium 24,200 
			 Denmark 8,700 
			 Finland 7,600 
			 France 1,878,400 
			 Germany 119,200 
			 Greece 115,300 
			 Italy 130,200 
			 Luxembourg 3,100 
			 Netherlands 32,650 
			 Norway 6,500 
			 Portugal 154,350 
			 Spain 4,021,450 
			 Sweden 16,800 
			 Switzerland 20,400 
			 Iceland 900 
			 Liechtenstein 200 
			 Malta 95,300 
			 Republic of Estonia 1,400 
			 Republic of Latvia 2,500 
			 Republic of Lithuania 600 
			 Hungary 15,400 
			 Poland 25,000 
			 Cyprus 479,500 
			 Republic of Slovenia 800 
			 The Czech Republic 1,400 
			 The Slovak Republic 400 
			 Total 7,954,750

Written Questions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's target time is for answering written parliamentary questions; and what the average time taken for answering parliamentary questions has been in each of the last 12 months.

Anne McGuire: The Department aims to answer parliamentary questions within the timescales set by Parliament. The average time taken to answer written House of Commons parliamentary questions in each of the last 12 months is in the following table.
	
		
			  Average number of working days taken to answer Commons written PQs in 2007 
			  Month  Average number of days 
			 January 14 
			 February 16 
			 March 18 
			 April 16 
			 May 16 
			 June 9 
			 July 8 
			 September 5 
			 October 6 
			 November 8 
			 December 12 
			   
			 Average for 2007 12 
			  Note: Average number of days relates to days when Parliament was sitting and replies to parliamentary questions could be tabled.

HOME DEPARTMENT

101 Calls

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 253-4W, on 101 calls, 
	(1)  what information her Department has received from each pilot on the costs and benefits of the 101 single non-emergency number; if she will place the information in the Library; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what evaluation has been conducted of the costs and benefits of the 101 single non-emergency number pilots; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office has worked closely with all the initial 101 single non-emergency number areas since the service was launched to understand the costs and benefits of the 101 service and to inform options for its future operation. The information gathered has formed part of the overall evaluation of the costs and benefits of the 101 service and has included assessment of caller demand, customer satisfaction, public awareness and the impact on the delivery of local services and the management of resources.
	The evaluation and assessment found that the 101 service has successfully demonstrated benefits around improving the public's access to and satisfaction in local community safety services. Through greater partnership working and better information about what problems are happening where, the 101 service has also helped local police and councils to target their resources more effectively and efficiently and improve the delivery of those services to the public.
	The Home Office will be making available the wider learning and good practice identified from this assessment, to provide a toolkit to help enable and inform all local areas to embed the benefits in local services and to develop locally funded 101 services where possible. This material will be placed in the Library when it is available.

Crime: Computers

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) staff work on e-crime; and what SOCA's budget for dealing with e-crime is in 2007-08.

Vernon Coaker: SOCA's e-crime work is carried out by either the e-crime department (within the Intervention Directorate) or by staff from elsewhere across the organisation. In addition, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centrewhich is affiliated but operationally independent to SOCAundertakes e-crime investigations in relation to child protection. SOCA's e-crime department has a target capacity of 58 staff, with 51 in post as of 12 February 2008. The staff budget for the e-crime department in 2007-08 is 3,337,000, which does not include the cost of centralised services such as IT and premises.

Crime: Computers

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Hi Tech Crime Unit in dealing with e-crime following its transfer into the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office monitors SOCA's performance regularly. As required under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, SOCA will issue an annual report as soon as possible after the end of the 2007-08 financial year to describe how SOCA discharged its functions in that year.

Crime: Computers

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were employed in the e-crime department of the Serious Organised Crime Agency in April 2006; and how many people are so employed now.

Vernon Coaker: In April 2006 there were 50 staff in the e-crime department. As of 25 January 2008 the e-crime department has 51 staff. Planned recruitment will bring the unit to its target capacity of 58 staff.

Crime: Statistics

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 209W, on crime: statistics, what account is taken in the compilation of crime statistics of unreported crime.

Vernon Coaker: The British Crime Survey (BCS) and police recorded crime statistics are complementary series, and together these two sources provide a more comprehensive picture of household and personal crime than could be obtained from either series alone.
	The main purpose of the BCS is to give a count of crime that includes those incidents that are not reported to the police, or not recorded by them. As such, the BCS asks victims whether an incident had been reported to the police, or whether the police came to know about it another way, and is therefore able to estimate reporting rates. Overall, the 2006-07 BCS estimated that more than half of crimes are never reported to the police. Reporting rates are reported at a national level and published annually in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin Crime in England and Wales. See
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb1107.pdf
	for the latest figures.

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1066W, on driving under influence: drugs, when the Forensic Science Service will complete the specification for a roadside drug screening device.

Vernon Coaker: The specification must set realistic requirements to ensure reliability and lead to a device that the police will find helpful. The continuing identification of issues has delayed issue of the specification, but we hope to reach a conclusion shortly on how best to proceed.

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1066W, on driving under influence: drugs, what progress manufacturers are making towards preparing a roadside drug screening device; when they are expected to submit a device for type approval; and how long the type approval process is expected to take.

Vernon Coaker: Manufacturers and our advisers remain in contact over what should be required in a device that could be submitted for type approval. The development of such a device is a matter for the manufacturers The future time scale will depend on how quickly they can finalise and submit a device once a specification is available, how well the device performs, how quickly they can make any necessary adjustments and how soon they can put them on the market.

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1066W, on driving under influence: drugs, what progress has been made by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch in its investigation into developing an impairment measuring device.

Vernon Coaker: The HO Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB), in consultation with the Department for Transport, continues to discuss possible improvements to the field impairment test currently used by the police. A review of published scientific data originating from research in Australia into alternative impairment cues has been completed. Discussions regarding suitability of any further tests to meet the operational requirement and practical application are being undertaken. HOSDB continues to investigate a possible impairment measuring device through established contacts working in this area. Opportunities for partnership with a suitable university or other outside agency continue to be sought.

Drug Screening

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 15 October 2007,  Official Report, columns 553-4, on drug screening, what further progress has been made towards making a roadside drug screening device available for use by the police; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Any drug screening device to be used by the police in a suspected drug driving case must be of a type approved by the Secretary of State. It remains the position that no device currently available is type approved. The independent advice we have received is that, whatever its use in other circumstances, none should be type approved for use at the roadside in this country to assist in enforcing the criminal offence of driving while impaired by a drug.
	Type approval will be granted to devices that meet an appropriate specification and perform satisfactorily in an operational setting. Our advisers are continuing their work to produce such a specification. We hope to reach a conclusion shortly.

Drug Screening

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 15 October 2007,  Official Report, columns 553-4, on drug screening, when she expects a roadside drug screening device to be available for use by the police.

Vernon Coaker: It is necessary first to resolve the issues raised by setting realistic requirements for a device that will meet police needs and be useful rather than counter-productive. This work is in its final stages. Once it is done, it will be for manufacturers to prepare devices and put them through the type approval process. The time scale will depend on how quickly they can submit devices, how well those devices perform, how quickly the manufacturers can make any necessary adjustments and how soon they can put them on the market once type approved.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of drug rehabilitation beds in England and Wales are  (a) occupied and  (b) vacant; and if she will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	This information is not collected centrally.

Drugs: Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many school pupils were arrested for possession of illegal substances in schools in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The Ministry of Justice and Department for Children, Schools and Families both confirm that no information is collected centrally on arrests of school pupils.

Genetics: Databases

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of maintaining the DNA database was in each year of its operation.

Meg Hillier: The National DNA Database (NDNAD) was established in 1995, when responsibility for the operational management of the NDNAD rested with the Forensic Science Service (FSS) on behalf of the Police Service. No central records of costs relating to the maintenance of the NDNAD are held prior to 2002, as cost data were incorporated in other costs incurred by the FSS.
	In December 2005, the FSS was vested as a Government owned company and ownership of the NDNAD transferred from the FSS to the Home Office. On 1 April 2007 the NDNAD transferred from the Home Office to the National Policing Improvement Agency. Costs for the 2007-08 financial year are not yet available.
	The costs relating to the maintenance of the NDNAD from 2002-07 are given in the following tables. The costs for 2006-07 are higher than for previous years, because of the complete separation of costs from the FSS, and because the increase in the number of forensic suppliers requires additional resources for accreditation and continuous monitoring.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   
			   NDNAD Services costs  Supplier Accreditation costs  Total 
			 2002-03 774,304 320,507 1,094,811 
			 2003-04 904,385 388,047 1,292,432 
			 2004-05 1,276,823 433,828 1,710,651 
			 2005-06 1,245,151 459,192 1,704,343 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 
			   
			   NDNAD Service delivery including delivery of IT development projects  Custodian accreditation  Total 
			 2006-07 2,041,743 527,677 2,569,420

Identity Cards: Databases

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much additional data storage will be required to administer the national identity card database.

Meg Hillier: Until the national identity scheme is up and running it is too soon to determine the amount, if any, of additional storage that will be required to administer the national identity scheme. The information that may be recorded on the national identity register is set out in section 3 and schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006.

Identity Cards: Finance

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent in preparation for and on development of the Government's identity card scheme.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to the response to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban), on 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 812W.

Immigration: Children

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to her written ministerial statement of 31 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 28-9WS, on care for children in the immigration system, how much extra funding will be allocated to local authorities that will be part of the specialist network looking after unaccompanied child asylum seekers; and whether her Department's central funding will cover the full costs incurred by the local authorities.

Liam Byrne: The amount of funding available to local authorities who wish to be specialist authorities will be agreed in advance. Funding will be based on the costs the specialist authority incurs directly in supporting the care and accommodation needs of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Metropolitan Police Arts and Antiques Squad: Finance

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much funding has been allocated to the Metropolitan Police Arts and Antiques Squad in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what plans she has to expand the Metropolitan Police Arts and Antiques Squad; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Funding of the Arts and Antiques Unit is an operational matter for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Migration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the impact of migration on the UK's gross domestic product in the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	In HM Treasury's trend growth framework, migration contributes to output growth through its contribution to growth in the working age population.
	Latest data available from the Office for National Statistics indicate that between mid-1997 and mid-2006, migration contributed around 0.5 percentage points. per year to growth in the working age population, and therefore towards the trend rate of growth in the economy.

Offensive Weapons: Durham

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested and prosecuted for the carrying and use of a knife in the Durham police authority area in 2007.

Vernon Coaker: The arrests collection undertaken by the Ministry of Justice provides data on persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences), by age group, gender, ethnicity, and main offence group only, i.e. violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary, etc. More detailed data about specific offences do not form part of this collection.
	The information requested on prosecutions for 2007 will be available in the autumn of 2008.

Opium: Crops

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 868-69W, on opium: crops, if she will break down the figures by the location in which the crops were grown.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 24 January 2008
	During 2007, opium poppies were grown at 67 locations in nine counties, as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  County  Number of growing sites  Total area (ha) 
			 Berkshire 4 239.92 
			 Buckinghamshire 1 24.80 
			 Dorset 6 206.06 
			 Hampshire 26 1,238.68 
			 Leicestershire 1 16.13 
			 Lincolnshire 9 445.61 
			 Northamptonshire 1 63.88 
			 Oxfordshire 10 281.71 
			 Wiltshire 9 228.19

Police: Bureaucracy

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many departmental officials have been working on reducing police bureaucracy in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: Until 1 April 2007, when the newly vested police-led National Policing Improvement Agency took on policy oversight for reducing unnecessary police bureaucracy, overall policy oversight for reducing unnecessary bureaucracy was held by the Police Reform Unit in the Home Office. However, a much wider number of departmental officials in many different business areas have been involved in contributing to this important area of work over the last 10 years. This work has included:
	improvements to custody and case management information technology systems;
	the implementation of new time and labour saving technology such as electronic fingerprinting;
	the development of improved business processes and work force management as part of wider efficiency and value for money work; and
	the development of a new performance management framework which recognising the significant improvements made to date, will provide greater local flexibility and reduce the number of targets that necessitate measurement by the police going forward.
	It is not possible therefore to specify a 'headcount' number which would properly reflect the contribution of such a wide number of departmental officials.
	Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy is the duty of all those involved in policing. It is the responsibility of local managers and chief officers in particular, to keep processes as streamlined as possible and to empower and equip officers to provide the most visible and accessible police presence in the community possible.

Police: Surveillance

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) communications intercept and  (b) surveillance requests by Essex constabulary have been (i) made and (ii) approved in the last 12 months.

Tony McNulty: Figures for the numbers of interception warrants and authorisations in respect of directed and intrusive surveillance are published annually by, respectively, the Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Chief Surveillance Commissioner. Copies of both reports are in the Library of the House.

Police: Urban Areas

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of policemen on the beat in urban areas.

Tony McNulty: The deployment of police personnel to urban areas is an operational matter for each chief officer of police.

Security Industry Authority

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the challenges to the Security Industry Authority's minded to revoke letters have been processed; and when this process is expected to be complete.

Vernon Coaker: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement on 31 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 29-30WS, in which I outlined the steps being taken by the Security Industry Authority and the Borders and Immigration Agency following their checks on the right to work of non-EEA licence holders. In that Statement I reported that some 10,500 individuals had been contacted by the SIA and informed that the SIA was minded to revoke their licences, and that some 3,000 challenges to the minded to revoke letter were being processed.
	We plan to send updates on the position to the Home Affairs Select Committee in March and June 2008. I will arrange for copies of those letters to be placed in the Library of the House.

Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Ministerial letter of 31 January 2006 responding to the recommendations within the Animal Procedures Committee's 2005 report on the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, if she will make a statement on her Department's commitment to explore the scope available to make the Home Office's RDSD database fully searchable by public stakeholders.

Meg Hillier: The Home Office is currently looking at ways of making statistics available on the internet. This project is still in the developmental stage and a decision will be made on the Animal Procedures Committee recommendation once the work has been completed and trialed.

Surveillance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were under surveillance by criminal justice agencies in the UK at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Figures in relation to surveillance are published in the annual report of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner, a copy of which is in the House Library. Law enforcement agencies were granted some 16,651 directed surveillance and 350 intrusive authorisations during the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007, the most recent period for which figures are available. Figures for intelligence agency use of these powers are not published in the interests of national security.

Terrorism

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 November,  Official Report, column 682W, on terrorism, which countries have proscribed Hizb-ut-Tahrir; and what account she has taken of these countries' positions in his decision on the position of Hizb-ut-Tahrir in the UK.

Tony McNulty: The following countries to our knowledge have some form of ban in place on Hizb-ut-Tahrir:
	Germany
	UAE
	Russia
	Pakistan (pending an appeal)
	Turkey
	Saudi Arabia
	Egypt
	Uzbekistan
	Tajikistan
	Kyrgyzstan
	Syria
	Turkmenistan
	Different jurisdictions have different criteria for banning organisations. I understand, for example, that in Germany it is banned for, among other things, anti-Semitic activity.
	We examine all relevant information about an organisation, including any action taken by other countries and the basis for that action if known, when an organisation is under consideration for proscription. I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 November 2007,  Official Report, column 682W for the statutory and other tests which must be applied in proscription cases. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the deliberations which may or may not have occurred in respect of organisations not on the proscribed list, except to say that Hizb-ut-Tahrir remains an organisation of concern and is kept under close review.

Terrorism

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times terrorist suspects have been held in pre-charge detention for  (a) 28 days,  (b) 27 days,  (c) 26 days,  (d) 25 days,  (e) 24 days,  (f) 23 days,  (g) 22 days,  (h) 21 days,  (i) 20 days and  (j) 19 days in each year since the 28 day maximum came into effect; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 6 February 2008
	The Terrorism Act 2006 extended the maximum period of pre-charge detention to 28 days with effect from 25 July 2006. Statistics compiled from police records show that to date 11 individuals have been held for over 14 days pre-charge (10 in 2006 and 1 in 2007).
	Of these, nine were arrested following Operation Overt, the disruption of an alleged plot to target aircraft. One individual was charged on the 27-28 day of detention following his arrest in a counter terrorist operation led by Greater Manchester Police and one individual was charged on the 18-19 day of detention following his arrest in relation to the incidents in London and Glasgow.
	The following table provides a breakdown of the numbers:
	
		
			  Period of detention  No of persons held  Charged  Released without charge 
			 14 to 15 days 1 1  
			 18 to 19 days 1 1  
			 19 to 20 days 3 3  
			 27 to 28 days 6 3 3

Terrorism

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many of the criminal offences created by  (a) the Terrorism Act 2000,  (b) the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001,  (c) the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 and  (d) the Terrorism Act 2006 have (i) no arrests been made (ii) no prosecutions laid and (iii) no convictions gained.

Tony McNulty: The power of arrest in section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows police to arrest a person upon reasonable suspicion of being a terrorist, which is defined in section 40. It also allows arrests to be made at an earlier stage than if there was a requirement for suspicion of a specific offence. There is no power of arrest under any of the other Acts mentioned.
	Statistics on the number of arrests, charges and convictions under the Terrorism Act 2000 and under other legislation are available on the Home Office website:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security/terrorism-and-the-law/
	These figures are compiled from police records and are not broken down in the format requested.

Terrorism

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in the Serious and Organised Crime Agency work on on-line activities by terrorist and extremist groups.

Vernon Coaker: None. SOCA's remit does not include online activities by terrorist and extremist groups.

Terrorism: Arrests

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are awaiting trial for people charged with offences under  (a) the Terrorism Act 2000,  (b) the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001,  (c) the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 and  (d) the Terrorism Act 2006.

Tony McNulty: Statistics on the number of people awaiting trial are available on the Home Office website:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security/terrorism-and-the-law/
	The information is not broken down in the manner requested. Since 11 September 2001 to 31 March 2007, there have been 1,228 arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000 and under other legislation, where the investigation was conducted as a terrorist investigation. Of those arrested, 132 were charged with terrorism legislation offences only, 109 were charged with terrorism legislation offences and other criminal offences and 195 were charged under other legislation including murder, grievous bodily harm, firearms, explosives offences, fraud, false documents Of those charged 114 were awaiting trial on 31 March 2007. Statistics are compiled from police records and are subject to change as cases go through the system.

UK Football Police Unit

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers are assigned to the UK Football Police Unit.

Vernon Coaker: The UK Football Policing Unit undertakes a range of co-ordination and infrastructure functions related to the role of the police in preventing and tackling English and Welsh football disorder at home and abroad. The UKFPU incorporates the Football Banning Orders Authority and the UK National Football Information Point required under EU provisions. There are currently six police officers seconded to the unit in addition to a British Transport police liaison officer.

Victim Support Schemes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people received state provided counselling as a result of being the victim of crime in  (a) Romford,  (b) Greater London and  (c) Essex in 2007.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not centrally available.

Video Games: Young People

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police  (a) cautions and  (b) arrests were recorded for retailers selling (i) video games and (ii) DVDs to underage customers in each year since 1997; and what average fine was levied for subsequent convictions in each case.

Tony McNulty: Statistics on the number of police cautions issued, the number of fines imposed and the average fines have been provided by the Ministry of Justice and are given in the following table for 1997 to 2006. Data on those arrested are not available.
	
		
			  Offenders( 1)  cautioned and fined for supplying video recording of classified work in breach of classification( 2) 
			   Number of police cautions issued  Number of fines imposed  Average fine amount () 
			 1997 1 15 519 
			 1998  18 440 
			 1999  33 798 
			 2000  16 1,028 
			 2001  9 1,378 
			 2002  12 1,079 
			 2003 1 14 921 
			 2004  6 775 
			 2005  8 489 
			 2006  8 1,244 
			 (1) These data are on a principal offence basis. (2) Video Recording Act 1984 S.11 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 S.88(4). These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source:  RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice

West Midlands Police Authority: Finance

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much West Midlands Police Authority has received from central funds in each of the last 10 years; how much its precept has been set at for 2008-09; and at what rate the precept will be levied upon local householders.

Tony McNulty: As can be seen from the following table, the central funding of the West Midlands police authority has increased from 317.34 million in 1997-98 to 487.88 million in 2007-08.
	
		
			  West Midlands police authority central funding since 1997-98 
			   Government grant( 1)  ( million) 
			 1997-98 317.34 
			 1998-99 335.10 
			 1999-2000 342.16 
			 2000-01 357.58 
			 2001-02 379.35 
			 2002-03 388.14 
			 2003-04 415.20 
			 2004-05 433.31 
			 2005-06(2) 466.12 
			 2006-07(3) 471.41 
			 2007-08 487.88 
			 (1) Revenue funding includes all grants inside aggregate external finance (AEF) (i.e. revenue grants paid for councils' core services), and includes formula grant and all specific grants. (2) In 2005-06, figures were adjusted for comparison purposes following the transfer of pensions and security funding from general grant in 2006-07. (3) 2006-07 Government grant figures are provisional outturn figures. 2007-08 figures are budget figures.  Source: DCLG.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to question 161593 tabled on 24 October 2007 by the hon. and learned Member for Harborough.

Liam Byrne: I wrote to the hon. Member on 15 February 2008.

JUSTICE

Crimes of Violence: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many convictions there were for violent crimes in  (a) Romford,  (b) Essex and  (c) Greater London in each of the last four years;
	(2)  how many people under the age of 18 years were convicted of criminal offences in  (a) Romford,  (b) Greater London and  (c) Essex in 2007.

Maria Eagle: The number of persons convicted at all courts for violence against the person offences in  (b) Essex, and  (c) City of London and Metropolitan police force areas for the years 2002 to 2006 can be viewed in table 1.
	The number of young persons under the age of 18 years convicted at all courts for all offences in  (b) Essex, and  (c) City of London and Metropolitan police force areas for the year 2006 can be viewed in table 2.
	City of London and Metropolitan police force area data have been provided, and combined they make up the Greater London police force area.
	It is not possible to identify those defendants in  (a) Romford constituency, as the data are not collected at this level of detail.
	
		
			  Table 1: the number of persons convicted at all courts of offences relating to violence against the person, in the City of London, Essex, and Metropolitan police force areas, for the years 2002 to 2006( 1,2) 
			  Force  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 City of London 65 55 45 43 34 
			 Essex 618 702 827 832 808 
			 Metropolitan Police 6,394 5,871 6,080 6,060 6,168 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Note: Includes the following offence classes: 1 Murder 2 Attempted Murder 3 Threat or Conspiracy to Murder 4.1 Manslaughter 4.2 Infanticide 4.3 Child Destruction 4.4 Causing Death by Dangerous Driving 4.5 Manslaughter Due to Diminished Responsibility 4.6 Causing Death by Careless Driving when under the influence of Drink or Drugs 4.7 Causing Death of a child or vulnerable person 5 Wounding or other act Endangering Life 6 Endangering Railway Passenger 7 Endangering Life at Sea 8 Malicious Wounding etc. 11 Cruelty to or Neglect of Children 12 Abandoning Child aged under Two Years 13 Child Abduction 15 Concealment of Birth 37.1 Causing Death by Aggravated Vehicle Taking  Source: Court proceedings database held by RDS Office for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2. The number of young persons under the age of 18 years convicted at all courts of all offences, in the City of London, Essex, and Metropolitan police force areas, for the year 2006( 1,2) 
			  Force  2006 
			 City of London 5 
			 Essex 2,837 
			 Metropolitan police 12,185 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Court proceedings database held by RDS Office for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice 
		
	
	Court proceedings data for 2007 will be available in the autumn of 2008.

Departmental Contracts

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the  (a) objective and  (b) value was of each contract placed with (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting by his Department, its predecessor Department and its agencies in each year since 2004-05.

Maria Eagle: In the financial years from 2004-05 to 2006-07, the last full year for when figures are available, the Ministry of Justice and its predecessor Department and agencies engaged the organisations named above to deliver consultancy services as outlined in the following table.
	While details of expenditure on other categories of service delivered by these organisations are held by individual business managers for the period in question, they are not held centrally by my Department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Financial year 2004-05 
			  Supplier  Objective  Value () 
			 Deloitte and Touche Update of Libra business case and finance model. 79,529 
			 Deloitte and Touche Implementation of IT Shared Services including creation of a new DCA IT delivery organisation. 1,603,700 
			 Ernst  Young Independent Regulatory Review of the Regulatory Framework for Legal Services in England and Wales. 235,256 
			 KPMG Consultancy support connected with public register of fines and judgements. 101,000 
			 KPMG Consultancy support connected with corporate reorganisation of DCA centre and subsequent transition planning. 817,751 
			 KPMG HR review and assessment connected with post of Head of Scotland Office 2,816 
			 KPMG Review of Finance Division functions and roles. 68,750 
			 KPMG Specialist audit by independent consultants of fraud risk at Court Funds Office. 22,000 
			 KPMG Management review and assessment of SCS processes on behalf of Human Resources. 26,704 
			 KPMG Review and assessment of European Policy and Information Rights Division. 5,747 
			 KPMG Advising on balance sheet accounting issues, standardisation manual and project management for HMCS Estates. 17,137 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers A number of projects, including Vulnerable Customers Project; Civil Justice Consumer Research  Criminal Justice Experience Project that fed into the Consumer Strategy Review. 2,162,000 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Review of Court Private Finance initiative schemes accounting treatment and review of annual reporting. 34,150 
			 PA Consultancy support connected with Courts Act Pilots and data / performance analysis and best practice identification. 1,304,050 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial year 2005-06 
			  Supplier  Objective  Value () 
			 Deloitte and Touche Update of Business Case to Treasury relating to Supreme Court Implementation Programme. 92,950 
			 Deloitte and Touche Support with implementation of the IT Shared Services Project. 174,570 
			 Deloitte and Touche Supported development of Libra Business Case. 35,227 
			 Deloitte and Touche Project/programme management connected with Gateway Review. 88,076 
			 Deloitte and Touche Project and programme management connected with eDG Assignment Initiation Document. 64,652 
			 Deloitte and Touche Finance  Project Accounting support to eDG, Costing  Charging Process Assurance, Contract Management Team Review. 888,688 
			 Deloitte and Touche Change management co-ordinators for implementation of Oracle 11i financial software. 52,370 
			 Ernst  Young Provided financial advice connected with HM Treasury Green Book analysis. 23,412 
			 Ernst  Young Development of policies and procedures regarding expense payments to Lord Lieutenants. 21,951 
			 Ernst  Young Development of a number of financial management modelling tools for use by HMCS. 323,000 
			 KPMG Risk management review of DCA corporate Governance structures. 86,160 
			 KPMG Re-shaping HQ Delivery of its 5 Year Strategy Plan. 173,900 
			 KPMG Review of DCA Governance structures to highlight gaps, inconsistencies and issues. 73,200 
			 KPMG Review and development of Performance Management Framework. 86,750 
			 KPMG External recruitment campaign for senior change management personnel. 58,827 
			 KPMG Redesign of Assessment Centre for Senior Staffing  Talent Management. 10,000 
			 KPMG Analytical support and advice on existing financial systems and processes for Financial Systems Implementation (FSI) project. 382,073 
			 KPMG Financial management accounting assessment. 12,870 
			 KPMG Modelling and financial analysis on behalf of Legal Services Commission. 33,119 
			 KPMG Consultancy support with DCA Senior Civil Service Assessment Centres. 5,000 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Provided financial analysis to support the draft Legal Services Bill and produced an actuarial report on the Compensation Fund. 150,000 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers External research, analysis and project management of major survey of public attitudes to and engagement with the Criminal Justice System 325,530 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers External research and analysis of business information held across the Criminal Justice Service. 106,000 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Support connected with the cross-government Administrative Burdens Reduction project. 95,020 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers HR consultancy concerning provision of Learning and Development advice and delivery of a plan for the new Department. 128,352 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Workforce Development Strategy, summary document and advice 8,852 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Consultancy on Performance Management 19,588 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Provided support and advice on setting up HMCS Finance plus transition of other DCA Finance functions. 74,025 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Project management connected with implementation of Oracle 11i financial software. 204,163 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers External Review of DCA Internal Audit Function. 24,400 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Development and implementation of financial reporting tool. 167,000 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Development of a risk management identification and reporting format. 77,000 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Cost Benefit Analysis of Civil justice Centre, Liverpool. 22,090 
			 PA Embedding programme and project management techniques within Constitution Directorate. 13,074 
			 PA Programme  Project Management of major change programme within Constitution Directorate. 37,900 
			 PA Provide consultancy support to help build the evidence base to inform HM Courts Service Business Strategy 92,500 
			 PA Electronic Filing  Document Management (EFDM) feasibility study 136,300 
			 PA Expert development of the Electronic Filing  Document Management (EFDM) business case. 373,700 
			 PA Support with various consultancy projects associated with roll out and in support of the National Enforcement Programme whose aim was to improve enforcement performance within HMCS. 1,523,196 
			 PA Development of capacity modelling tool leading to improved performance by HMCS Enforcement (London) region. 141,900 
			 PA Development of high-level business case and implementation plan for the HMCS Business Strategy to improve operating efficiency and effectiveness. 482,026 
			 PA Development of a capacity modelling tool designed to improve operational performance in the magistrates courts. 40,373 
			 PA Strategic consultancy advice for developing supplier market. Analysed market and advised on development of supplier strategy to improve operation and process. 299,109 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial year 2006-07 
			  Supplier  Objective  Value () 
			 Deloitte and Touche  Nil return 
			 Ernst  Young  Nil return 
			 KPMG Project Management consultancy support and advice for Performance Management Division. 31,800 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Diversity consultancy to support better and more focussed use of resources across the staff networks. 55,351 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers Business process re-engineering at the Public Guardianship Office and Court of Protection. 459,092 
			 PA Delivery of project to undertake fundamental review of judicial training 31,564 
			 PA Consultancy connected with transfer of Access Rights Unit to Information Rights Division. 95,628 
			 PA Consultancy support connected with the completion and publication of the Carter Review of Legal Aid Procurement. 50,597 
			 PA Development and implementation of operating procedures to support eDG in management of DISC programme. 1,812,175 
			 PA Review/ and assurance of supplier project plans for workstream development, including knowledge transfer in the Service Upgrade Programme Study (SUPS). 377,963 
			 PA Support to develop and implement the National Enforcement Service and HMCS Enforcement Programme. 1,476,563 
			 PA Expert advice and support to a major IT enabled business change programme within Civil, Family and Customer Services Division. 740,000 
			 PA Consultancy support to HMCS Enforcement Programme in London including a detailed impositions analysis of traffic offences across the London Region. 115,881 
			 PA Analysis and review of listing processes to identify potential cost and efficiency savings within the Asylum  Immigration Tribunal. 207,500

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.

Maria Eagle: Details of databases owned and maintained by the Department and its agencies are as follows:
	CaseMan
	FamilyMan
	e-Diary
	Money Claim On Line
	Crest
	Juror
	Juror Summoning Bureau
	eXchanging Hearing Information By Internet Technology
	ProbateMan
	ARIA (Asylum and Immigration system)
	Service Upgrade Project (pilot)
	Funds Accounting System
	Receivership Accounting System
	Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal system
	Generic Appeals Processing System 2
	Mental Health Tribunal
	ETHOS (Employment Tribunal system)
	CLAIMS (Criminal Injuries and Compensation Panel system)
	MERIS (Office of the Public Guardian system)
	ORACLE financials (General Ledger, Supplier database, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets)
	Local Fees database
	CHRIMSON (HR system)
	Occupational Health, Counselling and Screening Services
	Business Management System
	Magistrates Courts databases
	Libra application
	Trust Accounting and Banking System
	BACCHUS (Bankruptcy case management system)
	Centralised Attachment of Earnings
	County Court Bulk Centre
	Commercial Court
	Electronic Records Management
	Judicial Database
	Management Information System
	Tax Tribunal Remuneration
	Decree Absolute System
	Parental Responsibility
	Supreme Court Costs Office System
	Wardship System
	Crown Office Information Network System
	Life Imprisonment Minimum Term
	Payment of Legal Aid Remuneration
	Case Recording System
	RECAP (Civil Appeals Case Management)
	CASREC (Public Guardian Office Case Recording)
	CACTUS (Criminal Appeals Case Recording)
	LIDS (Local Inmate Database System)
	IIS (Inmate Information System)
	C-NOMIS
	OASYS
	SIS (Security Intelligence System)
	Phoenix
	National Intelligence Unit
	APVU (Assisted Prison Visitors Unit)
	Prisoner Location Service
	Pin Phone
	PSIMON
	Lifers Service
	Branston Staff Files
	Branston IRMS Service
	ROWD MIS
	Construction Unit Service
	E and SS Textile Service
	DGCU Service
	Accommodation and Occupancy
	Registered Intermediaries database
	Court Appearance Database
	PROGRESS
	XHIBIT Portal
	CJS Exchange Links
	CJ MIS
	FOI database
	Sharepoint
	As well as this list, other smaller database systems support local business areas. Details of these are not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of his Department's personal digital assistants were  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each of the last five years; and what the value of those items was.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not have a comprehensive historical record of this information. Records held centrally show that one personal digital assistant was lost in 2003. The estimated value was approximately 100. There have been no reported thefts of personal digital assistants.

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Wikipedia entries have been  (a) created and  (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in (x) his Department and its predecessor and (y) its agencies since August 2005.

Maria Eagle: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only by contacting every member of staff in post in the areas requested during this period. The Ministry of Justice's IT Systems are unable to provide a record of Wikipedia entries which have been created and amended by special advisers, Ministers and communications officials since August 2005.

Firearms: Crime

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) non-EU citizens and  (b) foreign nationals were convicted of (i) firearms and (ii) drug offences in Britain in each of the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: Information on the total number of foreign nationals convicted for firearms and drug offences are not held centrally. The central databases of criminal court cases collect information on defendants' ethnicities, but do not presently contain information on their nationalities. This is because, as a general rule, nationality is not germane to the outcome of criminal court proceedings. Defendants will not be asked their nationality by the court for this reason. Information on nationality may be recorded where it is specifically relevant to the case (e.g. immigration-related offences) but this would be held on local files and would not be systematically recorded on central databases.
	However, in preparation of the implementation of the UK Borders Act 2007, the Crown court IT systems are being changed to allow for the collection of nationality data. This Act introduces automaticrather than discretionarytriggers for the deportation of foreign nationals who meet certain sentencing criteria, and it will require more detailed recording of data on foreign national criminal defendants. Upgraded systems to meet this requirement are expected to be in place in late 2008.
	Data held on the prison IT system do record the nationality of offenders. The following table gives the number of foreign national and EU national prisoners received into all prison establishments in England and Wales under immediate custodial sentences between 2004 and 2006.
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006 
			 Foreign nationals 8,355 9,612 9,832 
			 EU nationals (not including UK nationals) 2,087 2,457 2,840 
			  Note: The foreign nationals data are taken from table 7.5 of the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2006. 
		
	
	It should be noted, however, that only a percentage of defendants found guilty of offences receive a custodial sentence.

HM Prison Service: MC2 Project

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what involvement HM Prison Service has had in the MC2 project.

Maria Eagle: A representative of the Prison Service has attended one meeting about the Multi Culture 2 (MC2) project in a consultative position. The service has had no further participation.

HM Prison Service's Race Advisory Group

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice who the members are of HM Prison Service's Race Advisory Group; how much they are paid; what recommendations they have made; and which have been implemented as a result of such recommendations.

Maria Eagle: There are 18 members of the Race Advisory Group (RAG), which was reconstituted during 2007. They include representatives of voluntary and community sector groups working in prisons, as well as managers from other large organisations and concerned and motivated individuals.
	Membership of the RAG is on a voluntary basis, and members receive no payment other than reimbursement for travel and miscellaneous expenses.
	The reconstituted RAG has completed two familiarisation visits to prison establishments, but has had only one formal meeting and has yet to make any recommendations to the Prison Service.

Judges

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many judges are expected to be appointed in 2008; what steps he plans to take to promote diversity amongst the judiciary; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Appointments to judicial office are made by the Lord Chancellor following selection and recommendation by the Judicial Appointments Commission. The JAC puts forward its recommendations on the basis of requests from the Lord Chancellor to fill vacancies, the timing of which is determined by business need.
	The JAC have already made 38 recommendations for appointment to me in 2008 and current plans are for some 30 further selection exercises to be completed, covering in excess of 250 posts for both courts and tribunals. These figures are, however, subject to change, as business need and priorities can vary in-year, affecting both the timing of selection exercises and the number of vacancies to be filled.
	I plan to continue the work under way as part of the Judicial Diversity Strategy, which was agreed between my predecessor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission in May 2006, and to work constructively with stakeholders to drive progress in this challenging area. This includes legislative changes to extend the ranger of individuals eligible to apply for judicial office; outreach work to promote judicial service to a wider pool of applicants; judicial mentoring and work-shadowing schemes; and work to produce guidance for Diversity and Community Relations Judges in engaging communities.
	I am also exploring what more we can do to work with others to support and encourage greater diversity in our legal professions

Magistrates: Easington

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many magistrates on the Peterlee Bench are resident in Easington constituency.

Jack Straw: There are two local justice areas administered by the Durham Advisory Committee: North Durham and South Durham. There is no separate Peterlee local justice area. North Durham has 18 magistrates who are resident in the Easington constituency. South Durham has one magistrate resident in the Easington constituency.

Magistrates: Public Appointments

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to encourage the appointment of more magistrates from areas which experience the highest levels of crime and antisocial behaviour; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Her Majesty's Courts Service in liaison with the Advisory Committee will determine how many magistrates are needed and recruitment campaigns are run locally.
	The need is based on workload forecasts which take account of anticipated number of cases coming to the magistrates court including criminal and antisocial behaviour cases. They also take into account projected retirements; possible resignations; average sitting days; bench make-up (responsibility to ensure that the magistracy is reflective of the communities it serves in terms of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, geographical spread, occupation and industry); local workload data; resources and the use of district judges (magistrates courts).
	Specific initiatives to encourage the recruitment and diversity of magistrates include: advertising materials to raise the profile of recruitment campaigns; information including a DVD that gives extensive and accessible information about the qualities and commitment required; a dedicated website; and awareness raising schemes including magistrates in the community, mock trials, and the magistrates shadowing scheme.

National Offender Management Service

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on offender services for adults by the National Offender Management Service  (a) in prison and  (b) in the community in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jack Straw: Expenditure by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is not routinely divided between offender services for adults and non-adults. By deducting expenditure on the Youth Justice Board, its Sponsor Unit and an estimate of Probation Boards' contributions to Youth Offending Teams, from the total NOMS expenditure for 2006-07, the estimated expenditure relating to adults is 3.9 billion. Extracting a precise figure across all offender management activity would involve disproportionate cost.

Police National Computer

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there is a unique personal identifier to connect individual data records in OaSys, C-NOMIS, Libra and the Police National Computer.

Jack Straw: The information is as follows.
	(a) Offender Assessment System (OASys)OASys uses the 'PNC Number' as a unique personal identifier but this system has no physical interface to the PNC.
	(b) C-NOMISC-NOMIS uses the 'NOMS Number' as a unique personal identifier. The NOMS Number is currently passed to, and stored within OASys, from C-NOMIS. The PNC number and arrest summons number (ASN) are manually entered into the C-NOMIS system if and when available.
	(c) LibraLibra has no specific unique personal identifier for a defendant, although each case related to one or more defendants is assigned a unique 'Libra Case Number'. This case number is not exchanged with any other system. Police forces supply Libra with their own 'Unique Reference Number' (URN) and the ASN from their case and custody systems that are case specific. Libra then uses the ASN as a unique reference to the PNC. A defendant will have many URNs or ASNs if they are involved in multiple cases. Libra can also store, via manual entry, the 'National Insurance Number' for the defendant if it is supplied by the police or the defendant.
	(d) Police National Computer (PNC)The Police National Computer uses the 'PNC Number' as a unique personal identifier. The Police National Computer also utilises the 'Criminal Records Office Number' if the defendant has previously provided fingerprints which can be positively identified and 'Arrest Summons Numbers' (ASNs) which links the defendant to one or more offences.
	OASys, C-NOMIS, Libra and Police National Computer (PNC) systems do not share a 'unique personal identifier' that is common to all these systems. This has been a continuing challenge for joining-up the Criminal Justice System. The connection of individual data records, where specifically required to date, has largely been accomplished by other indirect identification methods which are further detailed by system.
	OCJR is undertaking a review as to how a common unique personal identifier for the CIS might be achieved; the first stage of which is due to be completed by the end of March 2008.

Prison Service: Finance

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost of publishing and printing the communities engagement newsletter for HM Prison Service was, including staff costs, in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The Community Engagement Newsletter is produced by a member of the Prison Service Race Equality Action Group (REAG): the higher executive officer (whose, annual salary is around 29,000) spends approximately 33 per cent. of his time producing the newsletter. There is a nil production cost as the newsletter is posted on and disseminated via the REAG site on the Prison Service intranet.

Prison Service: Finance

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what work the Anne Peaker Centre has carried out for HM Prison Service in each of the last three years; and how much they have been paid by HM Prison Service.

Maria Eagle: A representative of the Prison Service has attended one meeting at the Anne Peaker Centre in a consultative capacity. The service has had no other contact with the centre.

Prisoners: Death

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Government intend to take to reduce the numbers of deaths in prisons.

Maria Eagle: A broad, integrated and evidence-based prisoner safer custody strategy (an umbrella term for suicide prevention, self-harm management and violence reduction) is in place. The strategy can be summarised as,
	'Reducing distress and promoting the wellbeing of all who live and work in prisons.'
	It integrates with other agendas that share the aim of improving the quality of life in prisons; such as resettlement, drugs, detoxification, health, and staff leadership and training.
	Prison Service Order (PSO) 2700: Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Management, aims to embed improved methods of working in all relevant areas of prison life. Building on several years of learning from the experiences of prisoners, staff, investigators, inspectors and others, it incorporates developments such as the introduction of ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) a new care-planning system for at-risk prisoners, improved cross-agency information flows, and integrated local safer custody teams pursuing a continuous improvement plan in each prison. Also reflected in the PSO are long-standing areas of safer custody work such as listener and insider peer supporters, suicide prevention co-ordinators in each prison, and working with outside organisations.
	A focus on personal safety, supporting victims, and repairing the physical and emotional harm caused by violence or abuse, links closely with the suicide prevention strategy. The recently revised PSO 2750 requires all prisons to have local violence reduction strategies appropriate to needs, encouraging a whole prison approach to reducing violence and the fear of violence. The PSO takes account of the recommendations of the report into the death of Zahid Mubarek (murdered by his cell-mate in 2000), and brings together policy on violence reduction, anti-bullying and cell sharing risk assessments.

Prisoners: Drugs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Government intend to take to reduce re-offending rates by reducing the rate of prisoner dependency on drugs.

Maria Eagle: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has in place a comprehensive strategy to address the misuse of drugs by offenders serving custodial sentences. The strategy for prisons has a three-way focus:
	reducing supply, through security measures and drug testing programmes;
	reducing demand, through targeted interventions for low, moderate and severe drug-misusers; and
	establishing effective through-care links to ensure continuity of treatment post-release in order to safeguard the gains made in custody.
	NOMS' comprehensive drug treatment framework, based on the National Treatment Agency's revised Models of Care, addresses the different needs of drug-misusers in prison. Interventions comprise:
	Clinical services, detoxification and/or maintenance prescribing
	CARATs (Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Through-care service)lower-level interventions that, following assessment, deliver treatment and support. CARATs take the lead Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) role in prisons, engaging with prison resettlement teams and Criminal Justice Integrated Teams (CJITs) in the community
	Drug Rehabilitation Programmes
	The Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS) will bring considerable improvements to the quality of prison treatment. With 18.7 million invested in 2007-08, around 24,500 prisoners annually will benefit from improved quality clinical treatment.
	Offenders who are released on licence may have conditions attached to their licence that require them to address their problem with drugs. Prolific and other priority offenders who are released on licence may be required to submit to drug tests.

Prisons

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the value of new contracts let for prisons was in each of the last 10 years, in terms of  (a) annual value and  (b) value over the life of the contract.

Jack Straw: The following table gives the financial details available regarding prison contracts awarded in the last ten years
	
		
			  Date of award of contract  Name or prison  Annual value at current prices ()  Value over the life of the contract () 
			 1 July 1998 Ashfield 22,056,508 121 million over 25 years 
			 6 July 1998 Forest Bank 23,277,701 197 million over 25 years 
			 23 July 1999 Rye Hill 15,767,244 154 million over 25 years 
			 27 September 1999 Dovegate 25,461,259 240 millions over 25 years 
			 20 June 2000 Doncaster 20,277,198 140 million over 10 years 
			 20 December 2002 Bronzefield 23,020,125 219 million over 25 years 
			 5 January 2003 Wolds 6,711,541 45 million over 10 years 
			 14 February 2003 Peterborough 27,207,116 291 million over 25 years 
			  Notes: 1. The annual value is based on the payments made to the contractor during the contractual year. 2. The value over the life of the contract is based on the net present value (NPV) calculated for the winning bidder at the award of the contract. The NPV is a. standard method used for the financial appraisal of log term projects and is calculated in accordance with the HM Treasury Green Book. This information has previously been published. 3. There is no direct relationship between the annual value of the contract shown and the NPV for the whole life of the contract. 4. We do not hold details of annual contractual value for the duration of the contract as there are a number of changeable factors e.g. population levels, services requirements which would have a significant impact on the values.

Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice by what means prisons are assessed on the effectiveness of their community engagement.

Maria Eagle: The effectiveness of community engagement in establishments is measured by internal audits of the Prison Service Standard on Race Equality. These are conducted annually.
	It is also measured during inspections by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Prisons: Race Equality Action Team Training

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people in HM Prison Service have completed race equality action team training; and how much this training has cost;
	(2)  how many people in HM Prison Service have completed the race equality officer training course; and how much this training has cost.

Maria Eagle: The Race Equality Action Team (REAT) training was rolled out in October 2006. Five training for trainers courses have taken place, training 79 associate trainers. In total, 1,576 REAT members had been trained by 31 December 2007this includes 1,317 Prison Service employed REAT members, 166 prisoner representatives and 93 external representatives.
	The Race Equality Officer (REO) training was rolled out in September 2007. 81 REOs have been trained to date.
	The revised courses, including all course literature, were developed 'in-house' by two members of the Race Equality Action Group (REAG). Responsibility for the delivery of the training is shared between REAG, area offices and training services, and no figure for the cost is collected centrally.

Race Equality Action Group Conference

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost was of the recent Race Equality Action Group Conference held at the Emirates Stadium; and how many HM Prison Service staff attended the conference.

Maria Eagle: The Race Equality conference held on 27 September 2007 at the Emirates Stadium, London, entitled 'Uncovering Hidden Racism: The Next Challenge', was attended by 323 delegates at a cost of approximately 34,000.

Rosemary West

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he has taken to establish how photographs of Rosemary West taken in Bronzefield prison came to appear in the 23 January 2008 edition of the  Daily Mirror.

Maria Eagle: The Director of HMP Bronzefield has commissioned an investigation in to the origins of the material in the  Daily Mirror on 23 January 2008, and further articles in the  Daily Mail and  The Sun. The investigation is being conducted by a senior manager at Kalyx who is external to HMP Bronzefield and this is due to be completed by 22 February 2008. A copy of the investigation report will be provided to the regional offender manager for the south east once completed.

Sentencing: Protection of Badgers Act 1992

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were sentenced following successful prosecutions under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 in each year since its entry into force.

Maria Eagle: The requested information is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Number sentenced( 1)  for offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, all courts, England and Wales, 1992 to 2006 
			   Number of offenders 
			 1992  
			 1993 31 
			 1994 35 
			 1995 33 
			 1996 23 
			 1997 29 
			 1998 10 
			 1999 28 
			 2000 20 
			 2001 36 
			 2002 28 
			 2003 16 
			 2004 22 
			 2005 20 
			 2006 7 
			 (1) Principal offences basis.  Notes: 1. The offence of 'failing to give up a dog for destruction or having custody of a dog while disqualified' is an offence under the Badger Act (1992) and the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991). It has been included in these figures, although it is not possible to tell which Act was intended when sentencing. 2. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.  Source: RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Dams

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contingency plans he has should the Kajaki dam in Afghanistan cease to work.

Shahid Malik: The Kajaki Dam is currently not working at full capacity and contingency plans are already in place. These include the installation of diesel generator farms in Lashkar Gah, Gereshk, Sangin, Kajaki and Musa Qala for nine months while repairs to the turbines are taking place. Generator farms have already been installed in Lashkar Gah, Sangin and Musa Qala, and are currently being built in Kajaki and Gereshk. A new sub-station for Lashkar Gah will also be installed shortly.
	USAID is leading on supporting the Government of Afghanistan in the energy sector in Helmand. They are making electricity generation a priority. The UK plays a key role in providing the security that enables these power supply projects to be implemented.

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many reconstruction projects implemented by the UK provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan were subject to violent attacks in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007.

Douglas Alexander: Records show that violent attacks on reconstruction projects implemented by UK Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan are rare. We are not aware of any such attacks during the UK's engagement in Mazar-e-Sharif during 2005. Since taking over responsibility for the PRT in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, in May 2006, information from the PRT indicates that none of over 200 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) implemented has been directly targeted in violent attacks.
	However, a number of QIPs have supported the development of Afghan security infrastructure, and we are aware that a small number of projects have been affected by attacks. In October 2007 an explosion in Gereshk resulted in four police casualties and five locals being killed. This damaged the walls of a day care centre being constructed as a PRT project, but it is most likely that the target of the attack was the police. In February 2007, another incident involving the Afghan National Police and Taleban resulted in damage to a school in Lashkar Gah.

Afghanistan: Tax Collection

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Afghan Ministry of Finance's efforts to enhance revenue collection; and what discussions he has had with the Afghan government on the matter.

Douglas Alexander: At 8 per cent. of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Afghanistan currently has one of the lowest rates of domestic revenue mobilisation in the world and the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) cannot cover its operating costs. It is essential that domestic revenue collection is prioritised in order to keep the Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF) and other international aid programmes on track. Along with our American colleagues, we have stressed the importance of this issue to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), and we have all discussed with the Afghan government the need to fully and transparently collect existing taxes as well as continue reforms of the tax system to increase the number of tax payers.

Bangladesh: Elections

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the UK is providing to Bangladesh to assist the electoral process.

Shahid Malik: The UK is providing the following assistance to Bangladesh for the electoral process:
	Preparation of the Electoral Roll with Photographs Programmethe UK is the lead donor providing 10 million to this $77 million multi-donor and government funded programme. It will generate an internationally acceptable photo voter roll, with photographs, to reduce room for fraud, and generate public confidence in the Election Commission (EC). The data collected are also being used for National ID Cards, which will provide most Bangladeshis with proof of identity for the first time.
	National Election Programme2.2 million is being provided to NGOs to reduce electoral fraud through international and domestic monitoring; support the EC's registration process through voter motivation and awareness, with a focus on ensuring those groups usually excluded (religious and social minorities and the poor) are included on the list; improve the quality of campaigning to deliver more accountable representatives.

Bangladesh: Overseas Aid

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what humanitarian programmes are funded by his Department in Bangladesh.

Shahid Malik: Total UK aid to Bangladesh in 2007-08 is 116.7 million. This includes just over 10 million of funding for emergency assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of people affected by the floods and by Cyclone Sidr in 2007, listed as follows.
	
		
			  Title  Description  Commitment ()  Duration (months) 
			 UN Emergency Relief and Early Recovery Needs Provision of immediate emergency relief and enabling vulnerable households and communities in 22 flood districts in Bangladesh recover their food security, shelter and basic social support in the following six months 6,100,000 8 
			 Cyclone Sidr Relief and Early Recovery Support Provision of immediate emergency relief and enabling vulnerable people in the most cyclone affected districts in Bangladesh to recover after cyclone Sidr, and reduce their vulnerability to similar disasters in future 4,500,000 9

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.

Shahid Malik: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 2 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1552W, to the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Clegg).

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department paid in bonuses to press and communication officers in each of the last 10 years; and what the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest such bonus was in each of those years.

Shahid Malik: The Department for International Development's reward arrangements do not allow for the payment of bonuses to staff below the senior civil service. No bonuses have been paid to press and communication officers in any of the last 10 years.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department since 6th May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Douglas Alexander: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 147-50WS.
	Information on the employment of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library of the House.

Nicaragua: Young Offenders

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will consider financially supporting the construction of separate police holding cells for minors in Bluefields in Eastern Nicaragua as part of his Department's work in Nicaragua.

Shahid Malik: The Department for International Development (DFID) continues to be concerned about poor prison conditions in Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast. In September 2006, DFID provided $14,600 for a seminar in Bluefields to address this problem. The seminar brought together penal reform experts, as well as local, regional and national officials. At that meeting, Bluefield prison authorities committed to a number of actions to improve the health and sanitation conditions of prisoners. This included measures for prisoners who are minors.
	DFID does not provide financial support to prison construction. Nevertheless, working in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we will continue to use our good working relationship with authorities in Bluefields to encourage them to improve prison conditions and to specifically construct separate holding cells for minors.

Overseas Aid

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the proportion of his Department's funding allocated to civil society through the Partnership Programme arrangements will increase in proportion to the overall increase in his Department's expenditure.

Shahid Malik: DFID is currently developing detailed plans for allocating its budget over the three year period 2008-09 to 2010-11 following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review announced in October. Individual programme allocations will not be finalised until March 2008.

Whaling

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the answer of 19 February 2007,  Official Report, column 195W, on whaling, what response his Department made to the letter referred to from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; if he will place a copy of that response in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The former Secretary of State, in his response to the letter of 19 January 2006 from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on international whaling, offered help where possible, in promoting UK policy on whales with the target countries listed in the letter. He also stated that DFID has limited engagement with countries that are not members of the International Whaling Commission.
	A copy of the letter, dated 5 February 2006, has been placed in the Library of the House. DFID officials will continue to remain aware of any critical developments in international whaling that might affect international development issues.

TREASURY

Banks: Fees and Charges

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what processes are available to consumers who wish to reclaim bank penalty charges; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Generally, if consumers believe that they have been wrongly or unfairly charged by their bank, they should raise the issue with their bank in the first instance. If they are not satisfied with the response they obtain, then it is open to them to take a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service or to pursue a claim in the Courts.
	On the issue of bank charges for unauthorised overdrafts and returned item fees, there is currently a test case before the High Court. This is considering the preliminary legal point of whether such charges are subject to the unfairness test in the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.
	Until the outcome of this legal action is known, the normal complaint channels have been affected as follows:
	the Financial Services Authority has granted firms a waiver from dealing with complaints within the usual time-table, except where consumers are in hardship. Rather, firms will record and store complaints and deal with them as quickly as possible once the legal action is resolved;
	the Financial Ombudsman Service will also not progress complaints or deal with new ones, other than in hardship cases; and
	the courts are generally suspending the hearing of cases.
	Further information can be found on the websites of the Office of Fair Trading (www.oft.gov.uk) and the Financial Services Authority (www.fsa.gov.uk).

Banks: Fees and Charges

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Financial Services Authority on a moratorium on consumers reclaiming bank charges.

Angela Eagle: The Financial Services Authority has given financial institutions a waiver in respect of compliance with time limits for dealing with complaints related to bank charges while a test case on such charges is proceeding in the High Court. The Chancellor has been kept informed about the issues surrounding the waiver. However, responsibility for the waiver is a matter for the FSA, which is independent of Government.

Banks: Fees and Charges

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has issued to financial institutions on the rate of interest to be applied to reclaimed bank and credit card charges; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: None. The issue of fairness of such charges is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which is independent of Government. In April 2006, the OFT stated that credit card default charges have been generally set at a significantly higher level than was considered legally fair. A 12 threshold for intervention was set: where credit card default charges are set above this threshold, the OFT will consider whether an investigation needs to be launched. The OFT also believes that the unfairness test in the 'Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999' covers bank charges and is investigating whether these charges are unfair. In order to provide certainty on whether the unfairness test applies, OFT is currently taking a test case against the major UK banks in the High Court.

Capital Gains Tax: Second Homes

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely change in tax revenue arising from the proposed revision to the capital gains tax rules governing homes other than a principal residence.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 25 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2340W.

Welfare Tax Credits: Complaints

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many written complaints have been made to the tax credit hotline by people in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) the UK in each year since the inception of the service;
	(2)  how many telephone complaints have been made to the tax credit hotline by people in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since the inception of the service.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available in the format requested. However, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 682W, regarding the total number of complaints received by the Tax Credits Helpline.

Child Benefit: Personal Records

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis the police are conducting an investigation into the loss of child benefit data at HM Revenue and Customs; and whether it is classified as a criminal investigation.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Chancellor's statement to the House of 20 November 2007,  Official Report , column 1101W, in which the Chancellor confirmed he instructed the then Chairman of HMRC to call in the police on 14 November 2007.

Council Tax: Valuation

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax Revaluation Programme Board (England) of 22 November 2005.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	A copy of the minutes will be placed in the Library of the House.

Employment

Denis MacShane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the workforce is in permanent employment.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the percentage of the workforce in permanent employment. (186773)
	In July-September 2007, which is the latest period available, 94 per cent of all employees aged 16 and over had a permanent main job.
	This estimate is taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). This figure covers employees only since the LFS does not ask self employed people, unpaid family workers or those on government supported training and employment programmes whether their job is permanent or temporary.
	Permanency relates to the job itself rather than to the individual who does the job.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cars registered in the UK were eligible for Band A vehicle excise duty in the latest period for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: As at the end of September 2007 there were 363 vehicles licensed under the band A zero rate of Vehicle Excise Duty.
	It has also come to light that the figure reported for band A in a written answer to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) on 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 318W, was incorrect. The Treasury apologises for this error. The correct figure for the number of band A cars licensed as at the end of October 2006 was 342.
	The band A zero rate for cars with the very lowest carbon emissions was introduced in Budget 2006 to encourage take-up and assist the development of the low carbon market. The Government are aware of at least one model of car available in the UK market that is eligible for this rate.

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since it was established the Financial Services Authority has used its powers under section 45 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Angela Eagle: The matter concerned is the responsibility of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), whose day-to-day operations are independent from Government control and influence. I have asked the Chairman of the FSA to write to the hon. Member on the issue he raises.

GCSE

Danny Alexander: To ask Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of people of working age had fewer than five GCSEs grade A* to C in each region in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about how many and the proportion of people of working age with less than 5 GCSEs at A-C grade or equivalent in each region in each year since 1997. (186828)
	The answer was compiled using estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). This is a sample survey covering around 53,000 households in the United Kingdom.
	The attached table gives the number and percentage of people of working age in the category requested for the three month period ending June each year, from 2001 to
	2007.
	Comparable estimates are not available prior to 2001. These estimates have not been seasonally adjusted.
	The LFS estimates at this detailed level are only consistent with the UK population estimates published in February and March 2003 and they do not incorporate the more recent population estimates that are used in the headline LFS series.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Number and percentage of working age( 1)  population with fewer than five GCSEs( 2,3,4)  by Government office region, April to June 2001-07, not seasonally adjusted 
			   UK  North-east  North-west  Yorkshire and the Humber  East midlands  West midlands  East 
			  Level (Thousand)
			 2001 12,612 573 1,368 1,134 979 1,241 1,145 
			 2002 14,151 632 1,665 1,243 1,049 1,371 1,288 
			 2003 13,900 630 1,604 1,215 1,043 1,344 1,270 
			 2004 13,599 616 1,522 1,172 986 1,325 1,243 
			 2005 13,447 569 1,510 1,237 992 1,251 1,253 
			 2006 13,167 546 1,480 1,204 984 1,245 1,228 
			 2007 13,194 544 1,477 1,197 1,018 1,236 1,273 
			 
			  Percentage
			 2001 40 43 39 43 44 45 40 
			 2002 39 41 41 41 41 43 40 
			 2003 38 41 39 40 41 42 39 
			 2004 38 41 37 39 38 42 38 
			 2005 37 37 37 41 38 39 38 
			 2006 36 36 36 39 38 39 37 
			 2007 36 36 36 39 39 39 38 
		
	
	
		
			   London  South-east  South-west  Wales  Scotland  Northern Ireland 
			  Level (Thousand)   
			 2001 1,635 1,582 929 646 1,007 373 
			 2002 1,908 1,691 1,078 720 1,109 398 
			 2003 1,935 1,686 1,045 664 1,081 382 
			 2004 1,949 1,657 1,032 653 1,042 403 
			 2005 1,971 1,603 997 676 980 407 
			 2006 1,865 1,628 956 664 985 381 
			 2007 1,875 1,599 963 647 971 395 
			
			  Percentage   
			 2001 40 37 36 43 37 42 
			 2002 41 35 37 42 35 39 
			 2003 41 35 36 38 35 37 
			 2004 41 34 35 38 33 39 
			 2005 41 32 34 39 31 39 
			 2006 38 33 32 38 32 36 
			 2007 38 32 32 36 31 37 
			 (1) Men aged 16-64 and women aged to 16-59 (2) When calculating percentage those with unknown qualifications are excluded. (3) Includes all those of working age in employment with qualifications below NVQ level 2. including those with no qualifications. (4) Qualifications below NVQ level 2 is equivalent to fewer than five GCSEs.  Note: Comparable data not available for 1997,1998, 1999 and 2000  Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Inflation

David Cameron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage changes there were in  (a) the retail price index,  (b) the consumer price index,  (c) fuel prices and  (d) food prices in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008 to date.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of changes there were in a) the retail price index, b) the consumer price index, c) fuel prices and d) food prices in i) 2006, ii) 2007 and iii) 2008 to date. (186895)
	In the table below I have provided the percentage changes over 12 months within a) the retail price index, b) the consumer price index, e) fuel prices and d) food prices.
	
		
			  Annual growth rates 
			   2006  2007  January 2008 
			 Consumer price index 2.3 2.3 2.2 
			 Fuels and lubricants (CPI) 5.5 2.9 19.3 
			 Food (CPI) 2.3 4.6 6.6 
			 
			 Retail price index 3.2 4.3 4.1 
			 Petrol and oil (RPI) 5.5 2.7 19.0 
			 Food (RPI) 2.1 4.6 6.6 
		
	
	The 2006 and 2007 figures provided are annual growth rates based on average prices in each calendar year. The January 2008 figures are the latest figures available (published on 12 February 2008), the table shows the percentage increase in prices between January 2007 and January 2008.
	The CPI and RPI both measure the average change from month to month in the prices of consumer goods and services purchased in the UK. However, they differ in both coverage and methodology. A detailed description of these differences is given in an article entitled The New Inflation Target: the Statistical Perspective:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/New_inflation_target_summary031210.pdf
	Specifically when comparing petrol and oil (RPI) and fuels and lubricants (CPI), the major difference is the fact that the RPI measures pump prices on index day each month, whereas CPI measures the average pump price across the whole month.
	The major difference between food in the RPI and CPI are the differences in the weights used to combine the low level indices.

Population

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the percentage change in  (a) UK population growth and  (b) population growth in England was in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what population increase has been attributable to migration in  (a) Scotland,  (b) Wales,  (c) Northern Ireland and  (d) each region of the England since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the likely future increase in population attributable to migration in each case in the light of the Government Actuary Department's principal population projections;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of population growth attributable to migration in  (a) the UK,  (b) England,  (c) Scotland,  (d) Wales and  (e) Northern Ireland in each year since 1987;
	(4)  what the percentage change in  (a) UK population growth and  (b) population growth in England was in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what the average percentage change in population in EU member states was over the same period; and if he will rank EU member states according to change in population growth in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. The reply will be placed in the Library.

Small businesses

Brian Iddon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the most recent estimate is of the cost over the next comprehensive spending review period of reversing the small companies rate increases announced in the 2007 budget.

Jane Kennedy: In line with the Code for Fiscal Stability, at Budget 2007 the Government published the impact on Exchequer revenues of the increase in the small companies rate for the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. These can be found in Table 1.2 of the Budget 2007 document.

Tax Yields: Cornwall

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Government has raised in tax from Cornwall in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not available.

Taxation: Immigrants

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount paid by migrants to the UK in taxes and national insurance in 2007.

Jane Kennedy: Information on taxes and national insurance contributions paid by migrants is not reported separately.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Alcoholic Drinks: Supermarkets

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many discussions  (a) he and  (b) his predecessor have had with representatives from supermarkets where alcohol price, promotion and harm was discussed in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Secretary of State and his predecessor have had no meetings with representatives from supermarkets over the last 12 months. However, my right hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (James Purnell) did attend the Prime Minister's seminar on alcohol on 21 November which was attended by individuals representing supermarkets.

Bingo

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications to open  (a) bingo halls and  (b) high street bookmakers were approved in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The table shows the number of new bingo licences issued under the Gaming Act 1968 by licensing magistrates (licensing boards in Scotland) for the five years from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2007.
	
		
			  New bingo licences issued from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2007 
			  April to March each year  Licences issued 
			 2002-03 34 
			 2003-04 19 
			 2004-05 10 
			 2005-06 6 
			 2006-07 8 
		
	
	Under the Gambling Act 2005 (the 2005 Act), the Gambling Commission (the Commission) is responsible for issuing bingo operating licences to operators; licensing authorities are responsible for issuing bingo premises licences in respect of individual bingo halls. Since 1 January 2007, the Commission has been able to accept applications for bingo operating licences; it has so far issued 218. (Under the 2005 Act the earliest date bingo operating licences or bingo premises licences could take effect was 1 September 2007.)
	No figures are available for the period requested for the number of high street bookmakers to whom licences were issued. Prior to the introduction of the 2005 Act, high street bookmakers were authorised by permits issued by magistrates courts; no information was collated centrally. Since 1 January 2007 the Commission has been able to accept applications for general betting operating licences from operators wishing to run high street bookmakers; it has so far issued 691. Licensing authorities are responsible for issuing betting premises licences to high street bookmakers.
	Under the 2005 Act the Commission is responsible for collecting information on the number of premises licences issued by licensing authorities. However, the Commission does not yet have figures for how many applications for bingo or betting premises licences have been granted by licensing authorities.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of Freedom of Information requests received by his Department have given rise to responses that have been published by his Department.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Since the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act the Department has published 85 per cent. of responses on its website. Our Department has adopted a full disclosure log where we aim to publish all requests for information where information has been released.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) press and  (b) communications officers his Department employed in each of the last 10 years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of press officers employed by the Department in each of the last 10 years is shown in the table:
	
		
			   Press officers 
			 1998-99 9 
			 1999-2000 8 
			 2000-01 9 
			 2001-02 8 
			 2002-03 9 
			 2003-04 10 
			 2004-05 9 
			 2005-06 (1)13 
			 2006-07 (1)13 
			 2007-08 (1)10 
			 (1) This includes press officers working on the Olympics. 
		
	
	The Department does not have a communication officer grade. The White Book of contacts in Government Departments and agencies contains listings for the Department and the book is updated twice yearly.

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Wikipedia entries have been  (a) created and  (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in his Department since August 2005.

Gerry Sutcliffe: 103 Wikipedia entries have been created or amended by people in my Department. We do not hold the information as to how many of these changes were made by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials.
	All staff in the Department are required to sign an acceptable use policy before they are given access to the internet. Occasional and reasonable personal use is permitted provided it does not interfere with the performance of duties. Any activity that would bring the Department into disrepute is prohibited.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Andy Burnham: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 147-50WS.
	Information on the employment of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Publications

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public information booklets were published by his Department in 2007; and what the  (a) print run and  (b) cost to the Department was in each case.

Margaret Hodge: The following publications were published by DCMS in the year 6 April 2007-5 April 2008:
	
		
			  Publication title  Print run  Cost (exc. VAT) () 
			 Cm 7057: Heritage Protection for the 21st Century 3,500 9,520 
			
			 Cm 7071: Government Response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Report on London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games: Funding and Legacy (HC69) 100 copies 960 
			
			 Cm 7072: Government Response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry into Call TV quiz shows 60 copies 552 
			
			 Cm 7088: Government Response to the Science and Technology Select Committee Report on Human Enhancement Technologies 50 copies 948 
			 Cm 7118: The Digital Switchover Help Scheme: A Scheme Agreement Between Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the British Broadcasting Corporation 125 copies 2,299 
			
			 Cm 7184: Government Response to the NAO Review of the Experiences of UK Nationals Affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami 400 copies 1,652 
			
			 Cm 7309: Government Response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Report on Public Service Content (HC36-1) 40 copies 1,269 
			
			 Public Appointments and Public Bodies 3,000 copies 2,935 
			
			 Winning: A tourism strategy for 2012 and beyond 360 27,321 
			
			 Winning: A tourism Strategy for 2012 and beyondExecutive summary 2,800 6,625 
			
			 London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Annual Report January 2008 1,500 22,805 
			
			 Staying Ahead: the economic performance of The UK's creative industries 3,000 62,466 
			
			 7/7 flyer 5,000 275 
			
			 HC63 Report of the Spoliation Advisory Panel in respect of three Rubens Paintings 100 1,571 
			
			 London Open House leaflet 3,000 675 
			
			 Export of Objects of Cultural Interest 05-06 525 12,627 
			
			 CM7236 Government Response to House of Lords Select Committee on Communications 45 460 
			
			 CM7186 Government Response to the Culture, Media and Sport select committee report into New Media and the Creative Industries 55 712 
			
			 Our Promise for 2012: How the UK will benefit from the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games 7,700 copies 19,469 
			
			 Our Promise for 2012: How the UK will benefit from the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Welsh version) 200 copies 2,847 
			
			 Our Promise for 2012: How the UK will benefit from the Olympic Games and Paralympic leaflet 212 copies 10,570 
			
			 Our Promise for 2012: How the UK will benefit from the Olympic Games and Paralympic leaflet (Welsh version) 1,000 copies 982 
			
			 Sustainable development action plan Online publication 1,487.50 
			
			 Culture on Demand: Ways to engage a Broader audience 1,200 (full publication) Overall 16,220 
			  1,500 (summary version)  
			
			 Culture and Creativity in 2007 1,000 8,949 
			
			 Community Amateur Sports Club(CASC) scheme leaflet 30,200 2,357 
			
			 Helping keep your child safe in sport: Child protection leaflet for parents(1) 2,240 7,060 
			
			 Findings and Recommendation of the Live Music Forum 3,500 39,793 
			 Final Report of the Casino Advisory Panel 1,250 12,600 
			
			 Treasure Annual Report 2004 3,000 24,114 
			
			 Cenotaph Memorial Order of service 25,000 1,098 
			 (1 )The Department for Children Schools and Families funded a large scale print run

Digital Broadcasting: Television

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 775W, on digital broadcasting: television, when he expects a decision to be taken on the proposal to establish a rolling television channel to provide information on the digital switchover.

Andy Burnham: There are currently no plans to establish a rolling television service for digital switchover.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what his latest estimate is of the number of people who are  (a) eligible for the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme and  (b) expected to apply for the scheme, broken down by constituency; and whether those figures were calculated before access was granted to records held by the Department of Work and Pensions;
	(2)  what his latest estimate is of the number of people who are eligible for the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme who will receive help  (a) for free and  (b) on payment of a 40 charge, broken down by constituency.

Andy Burnham: The information is not available in the form requested. A table giving details of the number of households eligible to receive assistance from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme, broken down by parliamentary constituency, has been deposited in the House Libraries.
	The previous estimates have now been updated to reflect benefits statistics as of May 2007 and revised forecasts of benefit growth provided by DWP. The DWP benefits statistics used to produce these and previous estimates are publicly accessible through either the National Statistics Nomis portal or the DWP National Statistics tabulation tool.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's latest estimate is of the number of people in each region who will require assistance through the Targeted Assistance Scheme during digital switchover.

Andy Burnham: Details of the number of households eligible to receive assistance from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme broken down by ITV region are in the table. The table also shows current estimates of projected take up for each ITV region.
	
		
			  ITV region  Number of eligible households  Projected to take up assistance 
			 Border (excluding Isle of Man and Copeland) 73,000 53,000 
			 West Country 246,000 171,000 
			 Wales 420,000 298,000 
			 Granada 817,000 586,000 
			 West 203,000 137,000 
			 Grampian 136,000 94,000 
			 Scottish 458,000 321,000 
			 Yorkshire 631,000 435,000 
			 Anglia 577,000 388,000 
			 Central 1,030,000 685,000 
			 Meridian 719,000 457,000 
			 London 953,000 607,000 
			 Tyne Tees 374,000 241,000 
			 TotalGreat Britain 6,640,000 4,480,000 
			 1. The estimate of the number of households eligible for assistance from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme covers ITV regions covering England, Wales and Scotland. Information on Northern Ireland constituencies is held separately by the Department of Social Development. Revised estimates for Northern Ireland will be made available as soon as possible. 2. The figures do not include those living in the Copeland constituency who were outside the switchover area for the recent Copeland switchover or residents of the Isle of Man. 3. The figures do not include households where the person qualifying for help under the scheme is registered blind or registered partially sighted who qualify on grounds of registration rather than on grounds of age or entitlement to disability benefits. 4. Eligibility for help from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme will be by benefit unit rather than the whole household definition used by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Office to forecast future household growth. The scheme definition of eligible households mirrors Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) definition of a benefit unit: a couple (which from December 2005 includes gay couples) and any dependent children. It excludes adults deemed to be non-dependents who, if eligible, will be able to claim assistance from the help scheme in their own right. 5. These revised estimates use data from the Department for Work and Pensions Client Group Analysis for May 2007 adjusted by changes in future household and benefits growth for the period from May 2007 until the date switchover takes place in the relevant area. 6. Totals for ITV regions are rounded to the nearest 1,000. Totals for Great Britain are rounded to the nearest 10,000. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Licensing: Circuses

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's review of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on travelling circuses.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Our assessment of the impact on circuses during the first year of the Licensing Act 2003 has confirmed that circuses were able to operate under the new legislation, but faced new burdens in doing so. We have therefore included a commitment to look at options for reducing the burden for travelling entertainment and mobile forms of licensable activity as part of the DCMS Simplification Plan which was published in December 2007. We will consider how to address some of the specific issues identified in our survey of circuses when progressing simplification projects such as minor variations and adjustments to the application process.

Olympic Games 2012

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's definition is of a sport; and whether each event planned for the Olympic Games 2012 meets this definition.

Andy Burnham: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not have a standard definition of a sport. However, a commonly used definition appears in the Council of Europe European Sports Charter 1993:
	Sport means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.
	The Home Country Sports Councils, for example, take account of the above definition, alongside other considerations, when making determinations about the recognition of an activity as a sport.
	The Government are confident that each event planned for the 2012 Games will meet this definition.
	The Council of Europe definition does not limit the scope for Ministers to determine, in the context of sports policy development, which sports or activities DCMS should or should not fund.
	A list of sports and recreational activities for the local and national government measurement framework from April 2008 will be largely based on the broad definition of sport currently used for the Comprehensive Performance Assessment framework. The definition of sport will be based principally on the notion of moderate intensity, where some degree of physical demand is placed on the participant.
	Sport England's forthcoming strategy on delivering a world leading community sport infrastructure will detail those sports which will fall under its remit to fund.

Sports: Sponsorship

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to regulate sponsorship of UK sport.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have no plans to regulate the sponsorship of sport in the UK. However the Government have taken a number of steps to encourage sponsorship of sport that is socially responsible, particularly when aimed at children and young people. For example, the Government have supported moves by the Portman Group to place a voluntary ban on alcohol advertising on children's replica football shirts.
	Furthermore, we have supported similar voluntary arrangements between the gambling industry and sport to remove gambling sponsorship from children's replica kit.
	Finally as my hon. Friend will be aware, the EU ban on tobacco advertising for Formula One motor racing remains in place.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Departmental Publications

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what public information booklets were published by her Department in 2007; and what the  (a) print run and  (b) cost to the Department was in each case.

Parmjit Dhanda: This information is not held in the form requested and could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of departmental publications are published online at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/freedom-of-information/communities-lgps/publications-database/

Disabled: Access

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on access arrangements for those with temporary disabilities.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department for Transport has regular discussions with local authorities on a range of issues around access to transport for disabled people, including on taxis and access to train stations. These issues will often be equally relevant to people with temporary disabilities. We are also currently consulting on proposals to extend the Blue Badge scheme to people with temporary disabilities that severely impact on their mobility (for example, people with very severe Autism and Alzheimer's and people who are expected to recover following treatment for a stroke or multiple fracture).

Domestic Visits: Regional Ministers

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many official visits regional Ministers have made to the region for which they are responsible, broken down by county.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 4 February 2008
	Regional Ministers have made a number of official visits to the counties in their regions since their appointment in July 2007. The following tables summarise those meetings made in their capacity as Regional Minister.
	
		
			  The Minister for the South West 
			  Break down by county  Number of visits 
			 Cornwall 1 
			 Devon 5 
			 Dorset 2 
			 Gloucestershire 2 
			 Somerset 2 
			 West of England 2 
			 Wiltshire 2 
			 Total 16 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the North East 
			  Break down by county  Number of visits 
			 Northumberland 5 
			 Durham 3 
			 Cleveland 7 
			 Tyne and Wear 14 
			 Total 29 
		
	
	
		
			  The previous Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber 
			  Break down by sub region  Number of visits 
			 North Yorkshire 3 
			 South Yorkshire 8 
			 West Yorkshire 12 
			 Total 23 
		
	
	
		
			  The Regional Minister for the North West 
			  Break down by county  Number of visits 
			 Cheshire 1 
			 Cumbria 2 
			 Lancashire 2 
			 Greater Manchester 2 
			 Merseyside 4 
			 Total 11 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the East of England 
			  Break down by county  Number of visits 
			 Cambridgeshire 6 
			 Suffolk 6 
			 Norfolk 3 
			 Hertfordshire 3 
			 Total 18 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the South East 
			  Break down by county  Number of visits 
			 Kent 4 
			 Sussex 2 
			 Surrey 3 
			 Berkshire 2 
			 Hampshire 5 
			 Buckinghamshire 2 
			 Total 18 
		
	
	
		
			  The Minister for the East Midlands 
			  Break down by county  Number of visits 
			 Derbyshire 2 
			 Leicestershire 3 
			 Nottinghamshire 10 
			 Lincolnshire 4 
			 Northamptonshire 1 
			 Total 20 
		
	
	The table combines visits for my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln, the previous Minister for the East Midlands, and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Corby who was appointed on the 24 January 2008.
	The Minister for London has made eight visits within Greater London not including visits made by the Minister relating to her Olympic responsibilities.
	
		
			  The Minister for the West Midlands 
			  Un itary a uthorities  Number of visits 
			 Birmingham 1 
			 Stoke on Trent 1 
			 Wolverhampton 1 
			 Sandwell 1 
			 Telford and Wrekin 1 
			 Dudley 1 
			 Coventry 1 
			  Counties:  
			 Shropshire 1 
			 Staffordshire 1 
			 Warwickshire 1 
			 Herefordshire (also unitary) 1 
			 Worcester 1 
			 Total 12

Energy: Conservation

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the performance in reaching residential energy efficiency targets of  (a) local authorities in England,  (b) local authorities in each region and  (c) each London local authority in respect of (i) private, (ii) registered social landlord and (iii) local authority housing; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The 1995 Home Energy Conservation Act requires local authorities with housing responsibility to prepare a strategy for improving energy efficiency within residential accommodation in their areas and report annually on progress. Since 1996, authorities have reported an average total improvement of approximately 19 per cent. to 31 March 2006. A breakdown of reported progress by English region can be found on the DEFRA website.
	Results for the period up to 31 March 2007 will be published shortly.
	A number of programmes are likely to have contributed to this improvement in energy efficiency, particularly the Energy Efficiency Commitment, Warm Front and Decent Homes.
	It is important to note that the figures have not been independently verified and that, because Home Energy Conservation Act strategies and monitoring techniques differ, the information should not be used to compare the performance of authorities.

Enfield Borough Council: Finance

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much money was held in reserve by Enfield council in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The amount of revenue reserves held by the London borough of Enfield in each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table. Information for England has been published in Statistical Releases and editions of 'Local Government Financial Statistics'.
	
		
			  000 
			   Level of revenue reserves  
			  Date  Schools  Other earmarked  Unallocated 
			  At 1 April 
			 1997 4,954 15,040 28,253 
			 1998 4,512 23,144 20,039 
			 1999 5,026 25,747 9,202 
			 2000 6,367 19,615 0 
			 2001 8,047 14,740 5,754 
			 2002 8,085 15,583 9,486 
			 2003 8,035 16,980 12,352 
			 2004 10,163 18,857 12,418 
			 2005 13,322 34,693 11,500 
			 2006 13,835 45,546 10,507 
			  At 31 March 
			 2007 11,376 44,926 10,111 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are as supplied by the local authority to Communities and Local Government. 2. Use of the schools reserves is not controlled by the council, but by the individual schools to which the reserves belong. 3. Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changing local authority responsibilities.  Source: Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) returns

Fire Services: Buildings

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the lease for each of the proposed regional control centres in respect of the FiReControl Project commences; how long each lasts; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Regional Control Centre (RCC) building leases commence five working days after practical completion of the buildings. Four buildings have achieved practical completion, as detailed in Table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: RCC buildings that have achieved practical completion 
			  Region  Practical Completion Date  Building Lease Began  Lease Term (years) 
			 East Midlands 29 June 2007 6 July 2007 25 
			 North East 29 June2007 6 July 2007 20 
			 South West 15 August 2007 22 August 2007 20 
			 West Midlands 20 December 2007 27 December 2007 25 
		
	
	The remaining five RCC buildings are contracted to achieve practical completion as detailed in Table 2.
	
		
			  Table 2: Planned dates for remaining RCC buildings 
			  Region  Practical Completion Date  Building Lease Begins  Lease Term (years) 
			 South East 14 May 2008 21 May 2008 25 
			 North West 1 July 2008 8 July 2008 25 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 1 July 2008 8 July 2008 20 
			 East of England 1 October 2008 8 October 2008 25 
			 London 26 February 2010 5 March 2010 25

Fire Services: Contracts

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when Firebuy will sign a managed service contract with the preferred bidder for the integrated cloth project (ICP).

Parmjit Dhanda: Firebuy Ltd. expects to sign the fully managed service and purchase with managed services contracts for the integrated clothing project with the preferred-bidder in February 2008.

Floods: Finance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding her Department has provided to  (a) Gloucestershire County Council,  (b) Tewkesbury Borough Council and  (c) Cheltenham Borough Council for (i) flood recovery and (ii) improved flood resilience in the last 12 months; what restrictions she has placed on the ways in which such funds can be spent; what plans she has for further similar expenditure over the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: To date the Government have made available up to 73 million to support communities in England affected by the floods last summer.
	Gloucestershire county council has been allocated 12,107,900 of this funding:
	1,100,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government through the Bellwin scheme, a scheme providing financial assistance for local authorities dealing with emergencies, with more to come.
	In addition:
	1,007,900 from the Department for Children, Schools and Families for schools and children's services affected by the floods; and
	10,000,000 allocated by the Department for Transport for repairs to local highways, with further funding expected.
	Tewkesbury borough council has received 673,500 in Flood Recovery Grant from Communities and Local Government and Cheltenham borough council 646,500 respectively. Both councils have submitted Bellwin claims and we are currently looking at the detail with a view to making payments within the next few weeks.
	Local authorities have flexibility to decide how to best use Flood Recovery Grant based on their own local circumstances. In practice this has included:
	Support payments to flood affected households;
	Purchase and provision of new household items to flood affected households;
	Provision of temporary caravans to allow people to remain within their communities while houses are repaired;
	Resilience and rescheduling of home improvement programmes to support families in flood damaged homes;
	Other priorities set through consultation with flood-affected householders and communities.
	There are no current plans to make any more payments under the Flood Recovery Scheme to the authorities affected by the June and July 2007 floods.
	DEFRA is progressing with its 500,000 pilot grant scheme to encourage flood resilience and will be reporting to Ministers by the summer. The pilots, together with a parallel research project, are providing useful information that will help Ministers take a long term decision on whether such measures should feature in the long-term approach to flood risk reduction.

Homelessness

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government is taking to bring forward a new statutory definition of homelessness as proposed in the Housing Act 2004; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: There are no current proposals to bring forward a new statutory definition of homelessness. The Housing Act 2004 does, however, include a power for the Secretary of State to change the existing statutory definition of overcrowding. We have pledged to update the statutory overcrowding standards, to the Bedroom Standard.

Housing Market: Public Participation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many perception surveys have been undertaken in market renewal areas in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: It is impractical to determine the number of perception surveys undertaken in market renewal areas in the last 12 months as some pathfinders measure perceptions as part of their everyday work, e.g. at consultation events, at the citizens advice bureau, in questionnaires and as part of master planning activity. The practice also varies according to the needs of the individual area.

Housing: Carbon Emissions

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimates her Department has made of the number of houses which have been built to the carbon emission standards set out at  (a) Level 3,  (b) Level 4 and  (c) Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Building Research Establishment has informed the Department that there are currently 395 registered developments that are building to the code, covering around 30,000 homes. Four of these are now formally going through the design stage assessment. Of those four going through the design stage, two are aiming for Code level 3 and two are aiming for Code level 4. BRE has also received the first post-construction assessment, for a development which was designed to Code level 4.
	Other homes may have been built to the carbon emission standards set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes but may not have been built to meet the other sustainability requirements of the code and may not therefore have been assessed against the code.

Housing: Construction

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the amount of gravel required to build three million new homes by 2020;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the average amount of aggregate required for the construction of a house with  (a) one,  (b) two,  (c) three and  (d) four bedrooms.

Iain Wright: The current national demand forecasts for aggregates were published in 2003 as 'National and Regional Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England, 2001-16'. The forecasts are derived from a number of variables, including commercially available forecasts of construction activity. These include an element for house-building, which is currently around 180,000 units a year. The increase in net additions may not equate to a proportionate addition in requirements for primary aggregates. This is because:
	net additions covering some conversions and changes of use categories which may require less aggregate;
	the possibility that alternative aggregate could be used for some new houses;
	the possibility that the increase in new house building would substitute construction activity away from other projects which use aggregates.
	The Department is committed to monitoring annually the aggregates guidelines. The guidelines will be revised downwards or upwards in the light of any changes in forecasts of construction activity.
	Although the Department has not estimated the average amount of aggregate required for the construction of a new house, the European Commission has estimated that to build a new home requires around 400 tonnes of aggregates (Commission Staff Working Document, 'Analysis of the competitiveness of the non-energy extractive industry in the EU'. June 2006).

Housing: Finance

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding is held by her Department under the Decent Homes Programme in relation to London, broken down by London borough; when that money is due to be released to each borough; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Local authorities retaining both the ownership and the management of their housing stock have to deliver their decent homes programme using the resources available through the housing revenue account and supported capital expenditure.
	Additional investment needed to make all social housing decent is provided by
	Setting up a high-performance arm's length management organisation (ALMO) which can then access additional supported capital expenditure;
	Entering into a private finance initiative (PFI) contract; or
	Transferring stock to registered social landlords.
	 Local authority landlords
	Supported capital expenditure is allocated to local authorities via the regional assemblies and paid via the housing revenue account (HRA). The London Mayor determines the allocations of supported capital expenditure for the London boroughs. The following table shows the allocation of supported capital expenditure to London boroughs for 2008-09. The revenue support for the interest payments on this borrowing has been built into the subsidy determination for 2008-09.
	
		
			  Name of local authority  2008-09 (T housand) 
			 Barnet 2,208 
			 Islington 9,112 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 5,100 
			 City of London 40 
			 Croydon 3,256 
			 Ealing 5,900 
			 Enfield 4,797 
			 Greenwich 6,742 
			 Hackney 17,700 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 6,072 
			 Haringey 6,233 
			 Harrow 2,725 
			 Havering 2,114 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,439 
			 Lambeth 8,757 
			 Lewisham 2,697 
			 Merton 2,090 
			 Newham 16,410 
			 Sutton 1,244 
			 Southwark 12,526 
			 Tower Hamlets 15,500 
			 Waltham Forest 6,680 
			 Camden 10,643 
			 Total 149,985 
		
	
	 ALMOs
	The Minister for Housing determines the allocations of the supported capital expenditure to ALMOs which is paid as revenue support for the interest payments on this borrowing and this has been built into the HRA subsidy determination for 2008-09. The London boroughs which are receiving supported capital expenditure for ALMO programmes to deliver decent homes are listed in the following table:
	
		
			  London ALMOs: Allocations 2007-08 to 2010-11 
			  Authority  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Barnet 18,931,000 15,198,000 10,608,000 (1) 
			 Ealing 41,000,000 28,000,000 37,000,000 17,773,000 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 47,122,000 50,892,000 43,906,000 (1) 
			 Haringey 6,990,000 23,000,000 30,000,000 (1) 
			 Hillingdon 11,300,000
			 Newham 46,113,000 65,113,000 49,113,000 53,113,000 
			 Islington 33,761,000 36,300,000 38,360,000 (1) 
			 Waltham Forest 22,000,000 22,349,750 16,349,750 16,349,750 
			 (1) To be confirmed 
		
	
	The London boroughs of Enfield, Hackney, Havering, Lambeth, Lewisham, Sutton and Tower Hamlets have yet to agree their funding with the Department but we expect to do so by 31 March 2008.
	 Housing PFI Programmedecent homes schemes
	The London boroughs which are receiving funding for PFI schemes to deliver decent homes are listed in the following table:
	
		
			  London borough  PFI scheme  PFI credits ( million)  Signature date (operational date)  Full year subsidy ()  Contract length (years) 
			 Camden Chalcots Estate 65.00 May 2006 6,824,382 15 
			 Islington Islington 1 74.69 March 2003 6,140,376 30 
			 Islington Islington 2 165.00 September 2006 16,327,104 16 
			 Lewisham Brockley 115.91 June 2007 10,353,146 20 
			 Newham Canning Town 31.89 June 2005 2,391,331 30 
		
	
	Schemes on the Housing PFI Programme are allocated PFI credits which act as a promise of government funding and indicate the level of capital investment which will attract government support. Support for Decent Homes Housing PFI schemes is paid to local authorities via the housing revenue account subsidy system on a fixed annual basis over the life of the PFI contract. Subsidy is payable when schemes are operational. It is calculated on the overall capital cost of a scheme and does not reflect capital expenditure in individual years.
	In addition, the Department has made a commitment to release subsidy for two further Decent Homes Housing PFI schemes in London, which are currently in procurement, provided they meet all relevant terms and conditions. These schemes are:
	London borough of LambethMyatts Field Northcontract signature expected April 2009; and
	London borough of NewhamForest Gatecontract signature expected March 2008.
	The levels of PFI credits and subsidy are not confirmed until schemes reach contract signature.
	 Transfer to registered social landlords (RSLs)
	Gap funding arrangements with RSLs enable local authorities to transfer their housing stock when the level of private finance required to deliver investment for decent homes improvements cannot be supported by the rental income from the homes. The numbers of arrangements in place in London are:
	
		
			  London borough  Number of transfer schemes  Total gap funding value ( million)  Grant expected to be paid in 2007-08 ( million) 
			 Islington 1 32.340 10 
			 Tower Hamlets 9 39.864 11 
			 Lewisham 1 42.2 0 
		
	
	All gap funding payment arrangements are the subject of annual grant letters issued to each RSL.

Housing: Local Government Finance

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the amount taken from each local housing revenue account by the Government in each year since 2005-06, indicating in each case the  (a) amount taken to pay off historic housing debt,  (b) amount redistributed to other housing authorities and  (c) gains or losses to each local authority from this redistribution process; and how much she expects to be taken for each in each year until 2009-10.

Caroline Flint: A table that shows each local housing authority's subsidy entitlement for 2005-06 and 2006-07 (the latest year we have figures for) has been deposited in the Library of the House. Negative figures indicate where the authority generated an assumed surplus which was captured and recycled within the system. In both years, all surpluses were redistributed through the subsidy system and the Exchequer contributed 232 million and 150 million in the respective years to make up the overall deficit.
	The requirement for local housing authorities to set aside resources to pay off debt ended in 2004. An authority may still pay off debt if it so wishes, but that is a local treasury management decision. Local authorities are, however, required to make a contribution to the cost of servicing housing debt and this is included in the housing revenue account subsidy system as a cost of capital.
	We do not forecast the subsidy position for individual authorities.

Housing: Low Incomes

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes were built in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) the south-west and  (c) England in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 September 2007,  Official Report, column 1668W.

Housing: Migration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the impact of migration on housing demand in the UK in the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: We do not have an estimate of the impact of migration upon housing levels in the UK in the last 10 years. The 2004-based household projections show that 33 per cent. of the projected household growth in England up to 2026 is attributable to net international migration. The household projections take account of past demographic trends including migration.

Housing: Repossession Orders

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many house repossessions took place in (a) Greater London and  (b) each Greater London borough in each year since 2000.

Iain Wright: Information on mortgage possessions is only available for the United Kingdom as a whole and is collected by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. These data are available on their website at:
	http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/filegrab/3AP4.xls?ref=2753.

Housing: Standards

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1143-45W, on housing: standards, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the reduction in completions of local authority dwellings between 1990-91 and 2006-07.

Iain Wright: It is a matter for local authorities to decide, in the light of the priorities identified in their housing strategy, whether some of their capital resources should be used to provide new social housing. A key issue in deciding how this should be provided and what schemes to fund will be consideration of value for money (VFM). There is no bar on the provision of new housing by local councils and there is no requirement for approval to be sought. The local councils would have to demonstrate to tenants and their auditors that the provision of new housing provides good VFM compared to that provided by registered social landlords (RSLs).
	RSLs have been the main providers of social housing since the 1990s. They are non-profit making organisations who can provide a greater number of homes for a given amount of public expenditure because of their ability to access private finance and to widen choice and competition among social landlords.

Housing: Standards

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many  (a) private,  (b) registered social landlord and  (c) local authority properties have been found to have a category 1 hazard under the housing health and safety ratings system since its inception;
	(2)  how many  (a) private,  (b) registered social landlord and  (c) local authority properties have been assessed as having category 1 hazards under the housing health and safety ratings system in each London local authority area.

Iain Wright: The Housing Health and Safety Rating System was implemented from April 2006. Headline findings for England from the 2006 English House Condition Survey were published on 30 January 2008 with the following estimates of the number of properties with a category 1 hazard present:
	 (a) private : 4,249,000;
	 (b) registered social landlord: 206,000;
	 (c) local authority: 297,000.
	The presence of a category 1 hazard does not necessarily mean that the current occupiers are at serious risk. The risk assessment determining whether a category 1 hazard is present is based on the potential occupant who is most vulnerable to the hazard: for example, and depending on the hazard that is present, whether an elderly person or a young child would be at serious risk if they lived in the property.
	The survey will provide annual updates to these estimates.
	Communities and Local Government have asked local authorities in England to submit information on dwellings assessed with category 1 hazards under the housing health and safety ratings system for  (a) private,  (b) registered social landlords and  (c) local authority properties in their 2006-07 annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA). This is the first year in which we have sought to collect data on the Housing Health and Ratings System (HHSRS). Data that have been returned are considered incomplete and not of reliable quality. We will be working with local authorities and other stakeholders during 2008 to review the data we are seeking on HHSRS.

Housing: Sustainable Development

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Code for Sustainable Homes assessors in each region  (a) have been fully accredited and  (b) are in training; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Code for Sustainable Homes was launched in April 2007 and is the national standard for the design and construction of Sustainable new homes. To date there are 500 fully qualified and licensed Code for Sustainable Homes assessors. This is already sufficient to meet the existing and anticipated demand for Code assessments over the coming months.
	By May 2008 the Government anticipates that the two organisations currently offering Code accreditation servicesthe Building Research Establishment and Stromawill have trained and licensed over 900 assessors. Other firms are currently considering providing Code accreditation services, and should they go ahead, this will further increase the capacity and competition within the market.
	The number of Code for Sustainable Homes assessors by region, and the number of candidates currently booked onto training courses are as follows:
	
		
			  Region  Fully qualified and licensed assessors able to operate.  Qualified assessors still to be licensed and not able to operate  Candidates in training up to May 2008 
			 Eastern 43 10 20 
			 Midlands 63 18 49 
			 North 75 16 30 
			 South east 257 96 162 
			 South west 47 10 30 
			 Wales 15 2 5 
			 TOTALS 500 152 296 
		
	
	Not all assessors in training will necessarily pass the exams so the total number of assessors by May 2008 will be slightly lower than the totals above. The regional split above is the one used by BRE rather than by that generally used by Government.

Land: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much land was designated as  (a) green belt and  (b) brownfield in each London local authority in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The following tables show  (a) the amount of green belt and  (b) the amount of brownfield land from NLUD-PDL for all available years since 1997.
	 Note :
	Not all authorities responded to the NLUD-PDL survey in every year.
	
		
			  Area of designated green belt land( 1)  by local planning authorityLondon since 1997 
			  Hectares 
			   Area 
			  London/local planning authority  1997  2003  2004  2006  2007 
			 Barking and Dagenham 440 440 440 440 440 
			 Barnet 2,380 2,380 2,380 2,466 2,470 
			 Bexley 1,130 1,130 1,110 1,120 1,120 
			 Bromley 7,710 7,710 7,710 7,710 7,730 
			 Croydon 2,310 2,310 2,310 2,310 2,310 
			 Ealing 320 320 320 330 330 
			 Enfield 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,090 
			 Greenwich  
			 Haringey 60 60 60 60 60 
			 Harrow 1,090 1,090 1,090 1,090 1,090 
			 Havering 6,020 6,020 6,020 6,020 6,020 
			 Hillingdon 4,960 4,960 4,960 4,960 4,970 
			 Hounslow 1,230 1,230 1,220 1,220 1,220 
			 Kingston upon Thames 640 640 640 640 640 
			 Newham 80 80 80 80 80 
			 Redbridge 2,040 2,040 2,070 2,070 2,070 
			 Richmond upon Thames 140 140 140 140 130 
			 Sutton 640 620 620 620 620 
			 Waltham Forest 840 840 840 840 840 
			 (1) Areas less than 5 hectares are shown as ''. 
		
	
	
		
			  Hectares of brownfield land 
			   1998  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Barking and Dagenham 33 254 252  241 90 326 
			 Barnet 71 123 124 124 133 135 135 
			 Bexley 31 16 34 46 46 46 35 
			 Brent 48  70 56 99 77 104 
			 Bromley 22  13  21  20 
			 Camden 75 73 80  87 51 88 
			 City of London 2 22  7 7  10 
			 City of Westminster 42  37 30 28 28 60 
			 Croydon  76 60 111 96 95 95 
			 Ealing 49  78 185 184 174 170 
			 Enfield 98   155 125 95 80 
			 Greenwich 235 217 243 161 156 153 149 
			 Hackney 25 14 24 16 20 19 19 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 36 44 50 49 28 53 49 
			 Haringey 32 40 48  85  217 
			 Harrow 39 79 66 62 39 46 34 
			 Havering 88 88 159 124 113 113 87 
			 Hillingdon 25 182 162 160 89 94 54 
			 Hounslow 57 184  195 140 145 107 
			 Islington 26 50  82 65 60 59 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 8  11  10 17 7 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 28 19  52 52 58 19 
			 Lambeth 16   9 10  58 
			 Lewisham 12 59 57 51 48 49 46 
			 Merton 16  77 66 71 71  
			 Newham 478 479 264  384 376 478 
			 Redbridge  198 207 176 78 50 101 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 38  49  58  26 
			 Southwark  33 25  99 99 110 
			 Sutton 90  33 31 13 18 21 
			 Tower Hamlets  64 64  51 42 41 
			 Waltham Forest 30 39 30 35 28 28 30 
			 Wandsworth 17 58 42 48 33 40 59

Landfill

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what statutory obligations require local authorities to identify new sites for landfill.

Iain Wright: There is a particular obligation arising from the waste management plan(s) required by the Waste Framework Directive(1) relating to waste disposal sites and installations (which can include landfill sites). Case-law from the European Court of Justice(2) has established that the management plan(s)
	must include either a geographical map specifying the exact location of waste disposal sites or location criteria which are sufficiently precise to enable the competent authority responsible for issuing a permit(3)
	to
	determine whether the site or installation in question falls within the management framework provided by the plan.
	In England, the tiered system of waste planning satisfies this requirement. The tiered system includes at the national level Waste Strategy 2007 (and its Annexes) and Planning Policy Statement 10 Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (PPS10); at the regional level, regional spatial strategies; and, at the local level, development plan documents and any local policies which have been 'saved' during the transitional period between the old system of unitary development plans, structure plans and local plans and the new system of local development documents. PPS10 provides that local planning authorities should, among other things, identify in development plan documents sites and areas suitable for new or enhanced waste management facilities for the waste management needs of their areas.
	Local planning authorities in England had an obligation under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 to produce detailed policies in respect of suitable disposal sites or installations for waste management purposes when producing unitary development plans, structure plans and local plans (which continues to apply in relation to saved policies). The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, which will come into force on 6 April 2008, will replace the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, local authorities will be required to implement national waste policies and strategies such as Waste Strategy 2007 and PPS10 when preparing and maintaining local development documents.
	(1) Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
	(2) In particular the judgment on joined cases C-53/02 and C-217/02
	(3) Under article 9 of the directive

Local Government Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 18 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1332W, on local government finance, what the average assumed collection rate of  (a) the business rate and  (b) council tax of each type of billing authority is for the purposes of allocating formula grant.

John Healey: No collection rates, whether of business rates or council tax, are assumed for the purposes of allocating formula grant.

Minerals

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what minerals and waste development proposals her Department is considering from each local authority.

Iain Wright: The Secretary of State is not currently considering any minerals or waste development planning applications made by local authorities.
	The Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State, is currently considering 22 planning appeals that involve minerals and waste development. None of these involve the local planning authority as the appellant. The following table summarises the details of these.
	
		
			  Date appeal received  Appellant  Development type 
			 10 April 2006 Castle Hill Quarry Company Ltd. Miscellaneous Mineral Development 
			 8 February 2007 G. Bolam Foods Limited Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 17 May 2007 Chas. Storer Ltd. Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 8 June 2007 M. Leivers (Waste Recycling Group Ltd.) Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 13 June 2007 Alan Williams Miscellaneous Mineral Development 
			 20 June 2007 P Casey Enviro Ltd Miscellaneous Mineral Development 
			 16 July 2007 Mr and Mrs. M.P. and J.L Hanna Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 31 July 2007 Vinery Management Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 9 August 2007 McGovern Haulage Limited Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 10 August 2007 Biffa Waste Services Ltd. Landfill 
			 13 August 2007 Lee Carter Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 16 August 2007 Solent Skip Hire Limited Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 3 October 2007 Grundon Waste Management Ltd. Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 27 October 2007 Durston Garden Products Ltd and Eclipse Property Investments Ltd. Surface Mineral Extraction 
			 30 October 2007 WM Briers and Son (Tamworth) Ltd. Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 4 December 2007 Mr. Brian Brocksopp Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 6 December 2007 Greenfileds (Organic) Ltd. Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 18 December 2007 Waste Recycling Group Ltd. Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 18 December 2007 Barker Bros aggregates Ltd. Sand And Gravel Extraction 
			 23 January 2008 Cappagh Public Works Ltd. Domestic Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal 
			 11 January 2008 Philip Cunningham Clays (Brick, Brick Earth, China, Ball) 
			 15 January 2008 Aggregate Industries and Jayflex Aggregates Ltd. Mineral Handling And Processing Installation

Minerals

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what criteria her Department applies to assess submitted minerals and waste development documents;
	(2)  what obligations local authorities are under to identify alternative extraction sites in the minerals and waste development documents submitted to her Department.

Iain Wright: Policies in minerals development plan documents are assessed thoroughly for their soundness during their independent examination. The criteria for this assessment is set out in paragraph 4.24 of Planning Policy Statement 12 Local Development Frameworks. It covers matters of procedure, conformity, coherence, consistency and effectiveness.
	There is no obligation on mineral planning authorities to identify alternative extraction sites in their development plan documents, although some do. Minerals Policy Statement 1 Planning and Minerals only requires them to identify sites, preferred areas and/or areas of search, in order to maintain an adequate and steady supply of minerals for the economy and society.

Personal Records: Children

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy to ensure that records with photographs are kept by every local authority social service department of the children that come into their care from ports of entry.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 7 January 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	In order to respond to this question, my Department will need to gather information from other Government Departments and from representatives of the local authority sector about current operational arrangements when unaccompanied asylum seeking children present at ports of entry. When I have had the opportunity to consider this information then I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of that reply in the Library.

Planning: Railways

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to encourage planning authorities to identify for protection land that may be needed for future rail use; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport (PPG 13) advises planning authorities on the safeguarding of transport routes, in order to widen transport choices for both passenger and freight movements. It also advises that local authorities should consider the potential of disused railway lines and routes for possible future transport use and for walking or cycling routes. Where land is not required and proposals for transport routes are unlikely to be implemented, Planning Policy Statement 12: 'Local Development Frameworks' asks planning authorities to avoid blight by making this clear and to ensure that their policies and proposals are reviewed as part of the next review of their development plan.

Planning: Renewable Energy

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will  (a) adapt planning policy to promote the use of wood reserves as a renewable energy source and  (b) ask the Biomass Task Force to examine the contribution of (i) wood and (ii) wood processing to the Government's renewable energy targets.

Iain Wright: holding answer 7 February 2008
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 7 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1332W, about planning policy for renewable energy. In line with a recommendation in the final report of the Biomass Task Force (2005), the Forestry Commission through their Woodfuel Strategy for England (2007) examined the steps which would need to be taken in order to increase the contribution wood and wood processing make to the Government's renewable energy targets. The strategy sets a target to release an additional two million tonnes of woody biomass into the supply chain, annually, by 2020. In achieving the target, the focus will be on the 60 per cent. of English woodlands that are currently under-managed as bringing these woodlands back into management will deliver a number of additional benefits including boosting currently threatened woodland flora and fauna. Wood processing products will also form part of the mix, as will waste wood and arboricultural arisings.

Quarrying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment her Department has made of the impact of quarries on  (a) residential areas and  (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Iain Wright: No collective assessment has been made of the impact of quarries on residential areas or areas of outstanding natural beauty. The Secretary of State only makes assessments in deciding individual planning applications which come before her. In all other cases, planning applications for quarries are decided by the appropriate mineral planning authority, who will take into account all impacts, including those on residential areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty. All likely impacts are set out in environmental impacts assessments which accompany minerals applications.

Regional Planning and Development: Standards

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of local planning authorities have had the core strategies of their Local Development Framework approved by the Government; and what her Department's targets were for those strategies.

Iain Wright: As of 4 February 2008, 22 core strategies have been found sound at independent examination. This represents 6 per cent. of all local authorities in England.
	The cross governmental PSA no 20 on Housing Supply has as its sixth indicator
	Local Planning authorities to have adopted the necessary Development Plan Documents, in accordance with their Local Development Schemes, to bring forward developable land for housing in line with PPS3.
	The national target under this heading is
	By March 2011, 80 per cent of local planning authorities to have adopted the necessary Development Plan Documents, in accordance with their agreed Local Development Scheme.
	This is the Government's target.

Roads: Lighting

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the provision of connections to street-lighting in inner London by EDF; what estimate she has made of the time taken by EDF to reconnect street lights in inner London in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will hold discussions with  (a) EDF and  (b) other companies providing connections to street lighting on steps to be taken to expedite connection times.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	In October 2007, Ofgem introduced a set of key performance indicators with regard to connections and faults repairs for street lighting services. DNOs are required to report on their performance in respect of each local authority against a number of criteria and meet those criteria in 90 per cent. of instances overall. Performance against criteria will be published by Ofgem annually.
	Ofgem has received one quarterly return under the new requirements (for the three months ending 31 December 2007). The figures for EDF Energy (London Power Networks) show:
	
		
			  Standard 2New /t ransferred  c onnections  EDFELPN 
			  New works 1-10 Jobs  Rqmt  Performance 
			  15 working days 60.0% 35 NO (1)140 25.0% 
			  30 working days 90.0% 44 NO (1) 56.4% 
			  30 working days  61 NO (1) 43.6% 
			  New Works 11 -50 Jobs  
			  25 working days 70.0% 192 NO (2)710 27.0% 
			  35 working days 90.0% 64 NO (2) 36.1% 
			  35 working days  454 NO (2) 63.9% 
		
	
	Ofgem will discuss both aggregate figures shown above for the first quarter and performance within each local Public Lighting Authority (PLA) area with EDFE. Ofgem also considers feedback received from PLAs at various forums and will take up specific issues with DNO management when necessary.

Sustainable Buildings Task Group

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which recommendations made by the sustainable buildings task group have been implemented; and which are still under consideration.

Iain Wright: A table which sets out the recommendations made by the group and summarises progress with each has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Thames Gateway

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of all correspondence relating to the purchase by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation of  (a) the Grays Territorial Army headquarters and  (b) industrial land at Purfleet in the financial year 2007-08.

Caroline Flint: I will arrange for relevant correspondence relating to these land purchases by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation to be placed in the Library of the House, subject to the exclusion of any information that may compromise commercial negotiations or contravene the Data Protection Act.

Thames Gateway: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what measures she is taking to facilitate the involvement of private investment funding in the Thames Gateway project; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Significant private sector investment is already going into the Thames Gateway such as DP World's 1.5 billion investment into the new London Gateway Port in Essex, the new high speed rail link, and development on key sites for example at Barking Riverside. In the future Crossrail will also see significant investment coming into the area.
	In November 2007 the Prime Minister launched the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan setting out the Government proposals for investing in the area to help deliver the key infrastructure to create the conditions that will enable investor confidence. The plan sets out how some 9.6 billion of Government funding will be invested to support housing and economic growth along with the necessary transport improvements, schools, health care facilities and other community facilities. The Government will continue to work with private sector partners at all levels to ensure the programme benefits from their expertise and experience.
	Together with this Department, the three regional development agencies are establishing a new 200 million strategic economic investment fund to support their economic development and investment plan which will identify major projects that will result in an economic step-change.
	In addition, a new Pan-Gateway approach to attracting inward investment into the region is being adopted together with close co-operation with the region's three regional development agencies and their partners to maximise the value proposition of the Gateway to potential investors.
	Some 43 billion is expected to be invested by the private sector over the next 20 years on the back of the proposed investment by Government in the Thames Gateway as set out in the delivery plan.

Wind Power: Marketing

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance, advice or instructions have been issued to planning inspectors with regard to the involvement of public money in the promotion, development or financing of on-shore wind farms and its relevance to a planning appeal.

Iain Wright: Inspectors reach their decisions having regard to the development plan, published policy and guidance (notably the planning policy statements on renewables and climate change) and any other material considerations. There is no issued guidance, advice or instructions to planning inspectors on
	the involvement of public money in the promotion, development or economics of on-shore wind farms.
	Inspectors receive training on matters relating to their decisions which will include background information relating to issues such as the renewables obligation.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Arms Trade: Export Controls

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how the Government will extend export laws to control extra-territorial brokering and trafficking of small arms by United Kingdom citizens operating outside the United Kingdom, as announced by his Department on 6 February.

Malcolm Wicks: On 6 February 2008 the Government published their initial response to a public consultation carried out as part of the 2007 review of export control legislation. The Government's commitment to extend the extra-territorial trade controls to cover the activities of UK persons anywhere in the world in relation to small arms forms part of that response, which can be viewed in full on BERR's website at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/legislation/export-control-act-2002/review/index.html
	The Government have prioritised the implementation of this commitment and intend to act speedily. During the coming weeks, the Government will work closely with stakeholder groups on the detail of how these new controls will operate in practice and will produce guidance to assist industry to operate them, prior to the introduction of secondary legislation.

British Energy: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what payments were made to British Energy for contractual historic spent fuel liabilities in each year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: The payments made to British Energy for historic spent fuel liabilities were as follows in each of the following financial years:
	
		
			  Financial year  Payments made to British Energy () 
			 2004-05 184,812,000 
			 2005-06 189,002,000 
			 2006-07 196,389,000 
		
	
	These figures appear in the Department of Trade and Industry's Annual Report and Accounts, available on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's website at
	www.berr.gsi.gov.uk.

Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his assessment is of the contribution to the UK economy of Daresbury Science and Innovation campus; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus has made a significant contribution to the UK, both economically and scientifically. The Government remain committed to developing the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, as announced in the March 2006 Budget, so it can continue to do so.
	The development of the campus has been through a partnership between the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the North West Development Agency (NWDA), the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster and Halton borough council. This has led to more than 60 high-technology companies locating at Daresbury over the past two years.
	The STFC has confirmed that it will continue to invest at Daresbury to provide global leadership in key science and technology areas, building on the world class skills currently on the campus.
	The Government have asked Sir Tom McKillop to chair an independent review of how best to implement the Government's and STFC's shared vision for Daresbury.

Electricity Generation

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many facilities with the capacity to generate more than 500 megawatts were  (a) given planning consent and  (b) closed in each year since 1997; and what the type and capacity of each of those facilities was.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 The following new over 500 MW power stations in England and Wales have been consented by this Department since 1997:
	BP Saltend 1200 MW CCGT (gas) consented 7 August 1997
	Conoco (Immingham) extension to 700 MW Gas CHP consented 22 March 2001
	Conoco (Immingham) further extension to 1230 MW Gas CHP consented 1 August 2006
	Spalding 800 MW CCGT (gas) consented 15 November 2000
	Fleetwood 1000 MW CCGT (gas) consented 15 November 2000
	Isle of Grain (Enron) 1200 MW CCGT (gas) consented 15 November 2000
	Raventhorpe 750 MW CCGT (gas) consented 15 November 2000
	Langage 1010 MW CCGT (gas) consented 15 November 2000
	Marchwood Power 800 MW CCGT (gas) consented 28 November 2002
	New Isle of Grain 1260 MW CCGT (gas) 31 October 2006
	New Severn, Uskmouth 800 MW CCGT (gas) 17 August 2007
	New Burton 1270 MW CCGT (gas) consented 30 October 2007
	London Array 1000 MW offshore windfarm consented 18 December 2006
	Walney 600 MW offshore windfarm consented 7 November 2007
	During the same period the following over 500 MW power stations closed:
	Blyth B 626 MW coal closed September 2001
	Drakelow C 976 MW coal closed March 2003
	High Marnham 945 MW coal closed March 2003
	Over 500 MW power stations in Scotland are the responsibility of Scottish Ministers and are not included in the data here.

Electricity: Conservation

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department  (a) has taken and  (b) intends to take before 2012 to reduce the waste of electrical power.

Malcolm Wicks: In the Energy White Paper, the Government set out a series of measures, which can significantly reduce energy use in homes and business by 2020 (7.0-11.7 MtC by 2020).
	Measures being introduced in the domestic sector include a continued obligation on energy suppliers to reduce home energy use, new building regulations, the energy performance certificates to make energy use more important when buying and selling homes and working with the EU to improve product standards, for example by phasing out inefficient light bulbs by 2011.
	In the business sector, the new carbon reduction commitment will mean that for major business and the public sector energy use receives greater attention to encourage companies to take more action on energy efficiency.
	The EU Emissions Trading Scheme will continue to provide an incentive for the largest energy users to use energy efficiently.
	In addition, the energy industry regulator, Ofgem, has an objective to promote efficiency in electrical distribution and transmission. They do this by providing incentives to system operators in the relevant price controls.

Employment: Tribunals

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the Gibbons Review recommendation to review the circumstances in which it is appropriate for employment tribunal chairs to sit alone, in order to ensure that lay members are used in a way that adds most value; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 February 2008
	 The Government acknowledge the valuable and important contribution which lay members make to the tribunal system. This was reaffirmed through responses to the Government consultation 'Resolving disputes in the workplace' which was issued in March 2007 and closed on 20 June 2007. Most respondents commented that the tripartite structure of the tribunal was a real strength which aided decision-making in cases where considerations of context and reasonableness were important.
	There was also support in the consultation for employment judges to sit alone in determining cases involving issues of a purely legal nature and in straightforward monetary cases, where the practical experience of the workplace that lay members bring to the tribunal's deliberations is of less relevance. Additionally, over 70 per cent. of respondents to the consultation supported the introduction of a new, swift approach to dealing with straightforward claims, where cases could be determined by an employment judge, with the consent of the parties, on the basis of the papers.
	Responding to these findings in the consultation process, the Government propose to develop further the good practice which already exists within the tribunals by establishing a fast-track system for dealing with simple monetary claims. The fast-track system will involve five jurisdictions where claims potentially raise straightforward issues and therefore potentially could be determined without the need for a tribunal hearing. The jurisdictions considered suitable for the fast track are:
	unlawful deductions from wages
	breach of contract
	redundancy pay
	holiday pay
	the national minimum wage
	Claims falling within these jurisdictions that are combined with other jurisdictions outside the list, will not be eligible for a fast-track determination.

Energy: Renewables Obligation

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for which  (a) crops and  (b) crop by-products renewable obligation certificates were issued for burning in power stations for each year since 2001; whether each was domestically grown or imported; and what the authorised amounts were in each case.

Malcolm Wicks: My Department does not hold the information requested.
	However the following table provides an estimate of the types of material co-fired from 2005 until the end of September 2007 under the renewables obligation:
	
		
			  Tonnes 
			   Total  2007  2006  2005 
			 Palm oil 45,728 6,202 36,697 2,829 
			 Palm residues 1,165,087 238,216 480,043 446,828 
			 Olive residues 514,211 131,160 99,829 283,222 
			 Shea residues 31,558 21,357 4,781 5,420 
			 Wood and wood residues 633,595 140,868 206,804 285,923 
			 Crop residues and co- products 382,821 105,880 152,457 124,484 
			 Short rotation Coppice and Miscanthus 15,626 8,881 2,439 4,306 
			 Other 419,094 98,343 59,735 261,016

Fossil Fuel Levy: Scotland

Adam Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much Ofgem  (a) collected and  (b) transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund in respect of the Scottish fossil fuel levy in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The balances of the Scottish levy account for the last three financial years are as follows:
	As at 31 March 2005: 9.3 million
	2005-06 (as at 31 March 2006): 18.05 million
	2006-07 (as at 31 March 2007): 59.27 million
	2007-08 (as at 31 March 2008): 98.21 million
	These figures include accumulated interest on the account.
	No transfers have been made by Ofgem to the Scottish Consolidated Fund in respect of the Scottish fossil fuel levy as no direction enabling such a transfer has been made by Scottish Ministers under section 187 of the Energy Act 2004.

Fuel Poverty

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate his Department has made of  (a) the total number of people,  (b) the number of children and  (c) the number of pensioners living in fuel poverty in each of the last 10 years, broken down by (i) region, (ii) local authority and (iii) constituency.

Malcolm Wicks: Fuel poverty numbers are calculated in terms of households rather than individuals. The most recent year for which numbers of households in fuel poverty are available is 2005. Detailed splits of fuel poverty for England in 2005, including by household composition and by region, are published in Fuel poverty 2005: detailed tablesavailable online at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42705.pdf
	No split exists of fuel poverty by household composition and region (or lower geographical area), and to produce one historically would not be possible without disproportionate cost. The following table shows the total number of households, pensioner households and households with children living in fuel poverty in England in each year since 1996 for which figures have been compiled. Note that detailed splits identifying households with children and pensioners have only been produced since 2003.
	
		
			  Estimated number of fuel poor households in England 
			  Thousand 
			   1996  1998  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Total households 5,100 3,400 1,700 1,400 1,200 1,200 1,500 
			 Pensioners (1) (1) (1) (1) 601 584 761 
			 Children (1) (1) (1) (1) 151 145 199 
			 (1 )Not available.  Note: Figures for 2006 will be published later this year.

Fuel Poverty

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many households in  (a) private,  (b) registered social landlord and  (c) local authority housing were in fuel poverty in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The most recent year for which numbers of households in fuel poverty are available is 2005. Splits of fuel poverty in England by type of tenure are published in Fuel Poverty 2005: detailed tablesavailable online at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42705.pdf
	The following table shows the splits for number of fuel poor households in private, registered social landlord and local authority housing since 2001 in England.
	
		
			  Estimated number of fuel poor households 
			  T housand 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Private (including owner occupied) 1,386 n/a 981 1,020 1,315 
			 Local authority 273 n/a 177 152 140 
			 Registered Social Landlord 64 n/a 64 65 75 
			 Total 1,723  1,222 1,236 1,529 
			 n/a = Not available.   Note:  Sums may not match total due to rounding. No detailed splits of data were produced for 2002due to the change in the English house conditions survey cycle, headline data only was modelled. 
		
	
	Figures for 2006 will be available later this year and those for 2007 will be published in 2009.

Fuel Poverty

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) pensioner households and  (b) households with children were living in fuel poverty in each English region in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The most recent year for which numbers of households in fuel poverty are available is 2005. Various splits of the headline fuel poverty numbers for England are published in Fuel Poverty 2005: detailed tablesavailable online at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42705.pdf
	including a split by household composition and another by region. No split exists of fuel poverty by household composition and region, and to produce one historically would not be possible without disproportionate cost.
	The following table shows the number of pensioner households and households with children living in fuel poverty since 2003, the first year for which estimates for pensioners and children were made.
	
		
			  Estimated number of fuel poor households 
			  T housand 
			   2003  2004  2005 
			 Pensioners 634 604 794 
			 Children 44 135 187 
			 Total 778 739 981 
		
	
	Figures for 2006 will be available later this year.

Fuel Poverty: Disabled

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of disabled people under 60 years who are living in fuel poverty and receiving the middle or higher rate of the disability living allowance care component or the higher rate of the mobility component.

Malcolm Wicks: Fuel poverty numbers are calculated in terms of households rather than individuals. The most recent year for which numbers of households in fuel poverty are available is 2005. In 2005, there were around 1.5 million fuel poor households in England, of which around 98,000 contained a disabled person under 60.
	The data used to model fuel poverty come from the English House Conditions Survey (EHCS). Benefits recorded in this survey are grouped, and so it is not possible to accurately identify different levels or types of income support.

Fuel Poverty: Disabled

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of disabled people under 60 who are living in fuel poverty.

Malcolm Wicks: Fuel poverty numbers are calculated in terms of households rather than individuals. The most recent year for which numbers of households in fuel poverty are available is 2005.
	In 2005, there were around 1.5 million fuel poor households in England, of which around 98,000 contained a disabled person under 60.

Natural Gas: Distribution

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if Ofgem will provide incentives to gas distribution network companies to provide mains gas connections in deprived communities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.

Malcolm Wicks: The 2008-13 Gas Distribution Price Control includes arrangements to incentivise the gas distribution network companies to provide connections to deprived communities.

Natural Gas: Imports

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much gas was imported into the UK from each gas exporting country in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 February 2008
	In the last five years gas has been imported into the UK via pipeline from Norway, Belgium and, since 2006, the Netherlands. It is not possible to identify the countries of origin of the gas physically received from the Netherlands and Belgium. However, it is believed that the majority of the gas received from the Netherlands is sourced from the Dutch sector of the North Sea and the majority of the gas from Belgium is sourced from Norway via Zeepipe which terminates at Zeebrugge. In addition, since 2005 relatively small amounts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has also been imported by tankerfrom Algeria, Egypt, Qatar and Trinidad and Tobago. In the 11 months to November 2007 LNG accounted for 5 per cent. of total gas imports. Data on the proximate sources of gas (i.e. separating out Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and LNG) are available on BERR's website in Energy Trends Table 4.3
	http://stats.berr.gov.uk/energystats/et4_3.xls
	Data for the whole of 2007 are due to be published on 28 February 2008.
	Data for the whole of 2007 are not yet available. The following table gives data for 2003 to 2006 along with data for the 11 months to November 2007.
	
		
			  (TWh)  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Belgium(1) 4.4 25.6 24.1 30.5 4.7 
			 Netherlands(2)9.1 64.3 
			 Norway(3) 71.8 95.4 127.9 157.0 203.0 
			 LNGW(4)   5.5 37.6 13.0 
			 Total 76.2 121.0 157.5 234.2 285.0 
			 (1) Physical (as opposed to contractual) flows through the Bacton-Zeebrugge Interconnector. (2 )Via the Balgzand-Bacton Line (BBL). (3) Via the Langeled and Vesterled pipelines, and Tampen Link (from Statfjord to FLAGS). (4 )Liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Algeria, Egypt, Qatar and Trinidad and Tobago to the Isle of Grain and Gasport Teesside LNG terminals.

News Corporation: ITV

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what  (a) communications and  (b) meetings his Department has had with (i) BSkyB, (ii) News International and (iii) other news corporation controlled companies during the last four weeks (A) generally and (B) on BSkyB's shareholding in ITV.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1631W, to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies).

Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had with the Chairman of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on engaging professional cost advisers to review cost estimates provided to the NDA by its site licencees.

Malcolm Wicks: My Department has regular discussions with the Chairman of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on a range of issues, including the measurement of the size of the task facing the NDA. The estimation of the lifetime costs of the NDA's mission is a key task for the NDA, and it therefore has processes in place for testing and challenging the estimates, including using advisers where appropriate to help them evaluate both the process and to review the cost estimates provided to the NDA by its site licensees.

Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the costs of decommissioning and decontaminating nuclear power stations over the next  (a) 10 and  (b) 20 years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 February 2008
	Estimating the costs of decommissioning and cleaning up the historic civil public nuclear sites, including the Magnox nuclear power stations, is the responsibility of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The latest estimate is set out in the NDA's annual report and accounts 2006-07, which is available on the NDA's website at:
	www.nda.gov.uk.
	The NDA's latest estimates of the cost of decommissioning and clean-up of the 10 Magnox stations in discounted 2007 money values are as follows:
	4.8 billion for the first 10 years (2007 to 2016 inclusive) for the decommissioning and clean-up of all ten Magnox stations.
	0.6 billion for the second ten years (2017 to 2026 inclusive) for the decommissioning and clean-up of all 10 Magnox stations.

Post Offices

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to restore the Crown Post Office network to profit.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Closures

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what account is taken by Post Office Ltd. of the effects of post office branch closures when consulting on its reconfiguration programme.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Private Sector: Redundancy

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what criteria his Department uses in allocating funds to private sector companies to prevent redundancies.

Patrick McFadden: State aid may be granted to private companies only if they are in difficulty; and in accordance with the European Commission's Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulties (OJ C 244, 1.10.2004, p. 2.). A firm in difficulty is where, demonstrably, a company cannot stem its losses through its own resources, or with the funds it obtains from its owners/shareholders, or from market sources. In addition, the Department is obliged to follow the criteria set out in HM Treasury's Green Book:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and-tools/greenbook/data_greenbook_ index.cfm
	on the economic assessment of all public sector spending and investment.
	The Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) scheme can provide funds to private sector companies to support new capital investment that will safeguard employment going forward. The criteria for the SFIE scheme are set out in the scheme guidelines that are publicly available:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/regional/investment/page29183.html

Regional Development Agencies: Vehicles

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many cars were  (a) owned and  (b) leased by each regional development agency in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: RDAs provide lease cars to staff to enable them to make essential visit to projects and clients. However, the arrangements vary and for example some RDAs pay staff, mileage and other allowances for that purpose. The following details are of cars on long leases and cars owned by each RDA in 2006-07.
	
		
			  RDA  Number of cars owned  Number of cars leased 
			 AWM 0 38 
			 EEDA 0 44 
			 EMDA (1)2 7 
			 LDA 0 3 
			 NWDA 0 79 
			 ONE 0 18 
			 SEEDA 0 46 
			 SWRDA 0 26 
			 YF 0 8 
			 (1) Utility vehicles at Avenue Coking works.

Tidal Power: Expenditure

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much expenditure on  (a) research and development on and  (b) installation of tidal power his Department is planning in each of the next three years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The Government have in place a comprehensive range of initiatives that encourage the development of marine energy, including tidal power. The Government's main mechanism for supporting renewable energy is the renewables obligation (RO). On 10 January I announced, in our plans to reform the RO, a doubling of support to tidal barrages and lagoons up to 1 gigawatt and to tidal-stream technologies. Details can be found at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper/consultations/renewables-obligation/page39555.html
	The 50 million 'Marine Renewables Deployment Fund' provides a package of measures to support the commercial-scale demonstration of new tidal-stream devices. Details can be found at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/funding/marine/page19419.html
	On 22 January the Government announced the detailed terms of reference for a feasibility study that will look into the potential for tidal power in the Severn estuary. Further details of the study can be found at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/explained/wavetidal/tidal/severntidalpower/page41473.html
	In addition, support for research and development into tidal power technologies is available through the Research Councils' SUPERGEN programme and the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) which is a joint Government and industry initiative. Details of the ETIs first call for tidal and wave power projects, launched on 17 December 2007 can be seen at:
	www.energytechnologies.co.uk/technology-programmes/current-programmes/marine-wave-and-tidal/

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what records his Department holds of grants made by institutions of the European Union to UK trades unions in the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: The Department holds no records of these individual grants. Deployment of the EU budget is a matter for the European Commission (within the agreed framework). The Commission publishes information on the grants awarded under each EU policy area on its website at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/grants/index_en.htm

Union Modernisation Fund: Audit

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough of 23 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2036W, on the union modernisation fund: audit, which accountancy firms  (a) have undertaken and  (b) are undertaking the audits.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 18 February 2008
	In line with normal arrangements for Government grant funding, on project completion, each grant recipient is required to appoint an independent accountant to undertake an audit. The auditor's report accompanies the final claim and confirms that the union has expended the sums in respect of which all claims have been made.
	It is for grant recipients to appoint an independent accountant, and therefore, we are unable to indicate the accountancy firms that they propose to, or have appointed to undertake audits at this time. However, the following accountancy firms have undertaken audits on union modernisation fund projects:
	Gatwick LLP
	Hardy Dowdy
	HW Fisher and Company
	Hope Agar.

Wind Power

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the proportion of energy needed to meet targets likely to be required under the EU 20 per cent. renewables target for total primary energy that will be supplied by means of wind generation.

Malcolm Wicks: Later this year the Government will launch a consultation on what more we should do to increase renewable energy use to meet our share of the target. This will cover a broad range of issues, including what contribution different types of renewable generation might make to the target. However the precise technology mix in the electricity sector in 2020 will be a matter for electricity generators to determine.

HEALTH

Abortion Act 1967

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to amend section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967 to provide a definition of the words seriously handicapped; what recent representations he has received about this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Parliament did not define serious handicap in the Act. It chose to leave this to the expert judgment of the two doctors involved, who are required to form their own opinion about the seriousness of the handicap the child would suffer if born, taking into account the facts and circumstances of each individual case.
	The Department has received nine letters on the topic of abortion for fetal abnormality in the last six months.

Abortion: Private Sector

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how frequently private sector abortion clinics are inspected; what action is taken by his Department and its agencies when a clinic fails to meet minimum standards; how many such clinics closed following adverse inspection findings in each year since 1992; what  (a) primary and  (b) secondary legislation provides the regulatory regime for abortion clinics; whether he plans to change this regime; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Private sector abortion clinics are inspected according to the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/539), (Section 32A), which states that providers will be subject to a minimum of one inspection every five years. Independent sector clinics, approved to perform abortions, by the Secretary of State for Health, are registered with and inspected by the Healthcare Commission. The number of additional inspections is informed following the completion of an annual self-assessment document. If following an inspection, there are areas identified that do not meet regulations, an action plan is requested from the provider to achieve compliance and a time scale for completion. More serious breaches are dealt with by the issue of legal enforcement notices and if non-compliance is still evident, prosecution and possible eventual cancellation of the provider's registration. If the situation poses a serious threat to the health and welfare of clients, the Commission has the power to seek urgent closure of an establishment using a court order.
	Since 1992, one abortion clinic has been closed and one clinic closed voluntarily following an adverse inspection.
	The primary and secondary legislation which provides the regulatory regime for abortion clinics in England is:
	The Abortion Act 1967, as amended the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, and the Care Standards Act 2000 as amended, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003; and
	Abortion Regulations 1991 (SI 1991/499) as amended by the Abortion (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/887) and the Private and Voluntary Health Care (England) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3968), as amended by the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/539), the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England)(Amendment No2) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/1734) and the Care Standards Act 2000 (Establishments and Agencies) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/865), the Care Standards Act 2000 (Establishments and Agencies) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1770) and the Care Standards Act 2000 (Establishments and Agencies) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006 (2006/1493), the National Care Standards Commission (Registration) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3969), as amended by the National Care Standards Commission (Registration)(Amendment) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/369).
	Under the terms of approval for the termination of pregnancy by the Secretary of State, clinics are also required to meet the relevant independent health care core, acute and termination of pregnancy national minimum standards. They must also comply with the principles set out in Department's Procedures for the Approval of Independent Sector Places for the Termination of Pregnancy.
	The Health and Social Care Bill, currently before Parliament, seeks to enhance professional regulation and create a new integrated regulator, the Care Quality Commission, for health and adult social care, with focus on providing assurance about the safety and quality of care for patients and service users.

Alcoholic Drinks: Children

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under 14 years old were treated for alcohol-related health problems in the last 12 months, broken down by strategic health authority.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Finished admission episodes (FAEs) for children under 14-years-old with a primary or secondary diagnosis of alcohol-related health problems in data year 2006-07, broken down by strategic health authority (SHA)national health service hospitals England and activity performed in the independent sector in England commissioned by English NHS 
			  Org. code  Description of SHA of treatment  Total episodes 
			 Q30 North East SHA 85 
			 Q31 North West SHA 387 
			 Q32 Yorkshire and the Humber SHA 178 
			 Q33 East Midlands SHA 66 
			 Q34 West Midlands SHA 155 
			 Q35 East of England SHA 73 
			 Q36 London SHA 119 
			 Q37 South East Coast SHA 89 
			 Q38 South Central SHA 63 
			 Q39 South West SHA 125 
			  Total 1,340 
			  Notes: 1. Data quality Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts, and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of Independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  2. FAEs A FAE is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 3. All diagnoses count of mentions These figures represent a count of all mentions of a diagnosis in any of the 14 diagnosis fields in the HES data set. Therefore, if a diagnosis is mentioned in more than one diagnosis field during an episode, all diagnoses are counted. Diagnosis codes used: F10Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol, K70Alcoholic liver disease; and T51Toxic effect of alcohol.  Source: HES, The Information Centre for health and social care.

Alcoholic Drinks: Children

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were admitted to hospital via accident and emergency departments for alcohol-related conditions in England in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 The following table provides a count of finished admission episodes (FAE) where the primary or secondary diagnosis was alcohol related, for males and females under the age of 18 for years 1997-98 to 2006-07.
	
		
			  National health service hospitals England and activity performed in the independent sector in England commissioned by the English NHS, 1997-98 to 2005-06 
			   Total episodes 
			 1997-98 6,084 
			 1998-99 5,489 
			 1999-2000 6,455 
			 2000-01 6,006 
			 2001-02 6,141 
			 2002-03 5,958 
			 2003-04 6,766 
			 2004-05 7,285 
			 2005-06 8,310 
			 2006-07 8,266 
			  Notes: 1. FAE A FAE is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. All Diagnoses count of Mentions These figures represent a count of all mentions of a diagnosis in any of the 14 diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set. Therefore, if a diagnosis is mentioned in more than one diagnosis field during an episode, all diagnoses are counted.  3. Emergency Admission These are the emergency admission codes to specify in more detail how the patient was admitted to hospital. 21 = Emergency: via Accident and Emergency (A and E) services, including the casualty department of the provider 28 = Emergency: other means, including patients who arrive via the A and E department of another healthcare provider 4. Alcohol Related Diagnoses F10Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol. T51Toxic effect of alcohol. K70Alcoholic liver disease. 5. Data Quality HES are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Source: HES, The Information Centre for health and social care

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings he had with representatives from supermarkets where alcohol price, promotion and harm were discussed in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: Two such meetings have taken place.
	In May 2007 the Government announced an agreement with the alcohol industry that, alcoholic drinks labels should include alcohol unit content along with guidelines on sensible drinking. As part of the discussions which led to this agreement, on 15 March 2007 the former Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) met with representatives from the alcohol industry, including the British Retail Consortium.
	On 21 November 2007, the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the Culture Secretary and the current Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, South (Dawn Primarolo), met with alcohol retailers, alcohol manufacturers, enforcement agencies, representatives of local councils and doctors and academics specialising in alcohol issues, to discuss the problems of under-age drinking and binge-drinking.
	This included:
	Peter V. Marks, chief executive of United Co-op;
	Sir Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco;
	Mark Bolland, chief executive of Morrisons; and
	Nick Grant, chairman of the Alcohol Retail Standards Group and Head of Legal Affairs, Sainsburys.
	The purpose of the seminar was to inform the alcohol industry about the action the Government are taking over coming months, as set out in Safe. Sensible. Social. The next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy to tackle binge drinking and help people to drink sensibly and to discuss what more the industry can do to help.

Anabolic Steroids: Misuse

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls to the National Drugs Helpline were about anabolic steroids in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The National Drugs Helpline ceased in England in March 2003 and no data on calls are available between 1997 and March 2003.
	The Frank helpline replaced the National Drugs Helpline in April 2003 and details of telephone calls since then, where anabolic steroids were mentioned are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of calls 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 257 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 323 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 357 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 358 
			 April 2007 to January 2008 311

Antibiotics: Health Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government has taken to educate the public in the last three years on the correct use of antibiotics.

Dawn Primarolo: As a result of increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance the Department has run awareness campaigns since 1999. The main message is that antibiotics do not work on most coughs and colds and until 2008 the campaigns were based on the 'Andybiotic' character. These materials have been available on our website and formed the basis of our campaign in 2006.
	In addition we supported the distribution of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's Ask about Antibiotics leaflet in 2006.
	This year's campaign uses new material and was launched on 4 February 2008. Advertisements are appearing in weekly magazines and national newspapers during February and March and a poster and leaflets are being distributed to general practitioners and pharmacists.

Anti-depressants

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) children and  (b) adults were prescribed anti-depressants in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Anti-depressant drugs are classified under section 4.3 of the British National Formulary (BNF) and the information in the following table is provided on this basis. Estimated figures are based on a sample of one in 20 prescriptions and have been grossed up to reflect the population totals and rounded.
	
		
			   BNF 4.3prescription items dispensed (thousand)  Estimate of prescription items dispensed for children (thousand)  Percentage dispensed to children 
			 1997 16,822.6 88 0.5 
			 1998 18,424.5 84 0.5 
			 1999 20,108.1 83 0.4 
			 2000 22,021.8 95 0.4 
			 2001 24,342.7 110 0.5 
			 2002 26,329.3 120 0.5 
			 2003 27,658.0 110 0.4 
			 2004 28,995.5 94 0.3 
			 2005 29,389.9 110 0.4 
			 2006 31,038.0 110 0.4 
			  Source: Prescription Cost Analysis system

Breast Feeding

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding he has allocated to  (a) an information campaign to promote the benefits of breastfeeding and  (b) supporting a national helpline for breastfeeding mothers in the last three years, broken down by financial year.

Dawn Primarolo: Since 1993, the Department has supported the National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW) as a key activity in promoting breastfeeding. The Department has provided support to the breastfeeding helpline since 2003 and we are committed to further support the development of a national helpline at local rates of pay.
	The following table sets out the funding for the NBAW and the national helpline on breastfeeding from 2005 to 2008. In the year 2005-06 no central funding was available and NBAW operated at local levels.
	
		
			   
			   NBAW  National Helpline 
			 2005-06  2,000 
			 2006-07 573,000 1,766 
			 2007-08 240,000 (1)150,000 
			 (1) planned

British Pregnancy Advisory Service: Complaints

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints were made to  (a) his Department and  (b) the National Health Service about the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in each of the last four years; and what the outcome was in each case where proceedings are complete.

Dawn Primarolo: The Healthcare Commission is responsible for reviewing complaints about national health service and independent healthcare services in England that have not been resolved locally(1).
	Information prior to April 2004 has been archived and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Between April 2004 and December 2006, eight complaints against the British Pregnancy Advisory Service were reviewed by the Healthcare Commission, all of which were resolved satisfactorily.
	Data for January 2007-January 2008 are not available.
	(1) We do not collect data on complaints that have been resolved locally.

Cancer: Expenditure

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the NHS's average annual expenditure is on a patient with  (a) breast cancer,  (b) lung cancer,  (c) prostate cancer and  (d) bowel cancer from diagnosis to the end of treatment.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	Data on the national health service expenditure on cancer are not collected by cancer type. In 2006-07 4.35 billion was spent by the NHS on cancer services, approximately 5.2 per cent. of all NHS spending for that year. Data on this expenditure are not collected by tumour site and cannot be broken down on this basis.

Care Homes: Standards

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government has taken to improve standards in residential care homes since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: Under the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Health and Social Care Act 2003, the Government have set up an independent inspection and regulation regime to raise the quality of care and level of protection for older and vulnerable people living in care homes.
	All care homes in England must be regulated (registered and inspected) by the Commissions for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). CSCI regulates care homes in accordance with statutory regulations and national minimum standards (NMS). CSCI has a range of enforcement powers and will take action to drive up standards and protect the welfare of residents.
	The regulations set out what providers must do by law. The Government introduced the NMS to set out clearly what care homes are expected to provide to demonstrate that they are complying with the regulations. Since their introduction, CSCI has reported a steady improvement in the performance of care homes against them. According to the CSCI report, The State of Social Care 2006-07, published on 29 January 2008, care homes for older people meet on average 80 per cent. of standards, a 21 per cent. improvement since 2003. Care homes for younger adultsaged 18 to 64meet on average 83 per cent. of standards, which is a 20 per cent. improvement since 2003.

Children: Accidents

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his assessment is of the role of regional directors of public health in the prevention of accidental injury to children; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The regional directors of public health have a key role in developing and co-ordinating regional strategies and initiatives for the prevention of injury to children, and in ensuring the engagement of cross-sectoral partnerships involving the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1689W, on departmental public expenditure, what the cost was of writing-off date expired vaccines broken down by type of vaccine 2006-07;
	(2)  how many expired vaccines were written-off, broken down by type of vaccine. [Official Report, 26 March 2008, Vol. 474, c. 1MC.]

Dawn Primarolo: In 2006-07 488,629 doses of vaccine in total were written off.
	There were 488,457 doses of vaccine written off due to date expiring. They were:
	243,000 doses of the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine;
	123,954 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine;
	71,568 doses of combined diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine;
	49,799 doses of Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine; and
	136 doses of tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine.
	This equates to 2,092,513. The cost breakdown cannot be give for individual vaccines as the cost per dose is commercially confidential information.
	There were 172 doses of vaccine written off because they were damaged. They were:
	70 doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine;
	69 doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, inactivated polio and haemophilus influenzae; type B, (DTaP/IPV+Hib) vaccine;
	21 doses of meningococcal C vaccine vaccine; and
	12 doses of the MMR vaccine
	The total value of the written-off stock due to date expiry and damage (2,096,000) represents about 1 per cent. of the vaccine distributed in the United Kingdom in 2006-07.

Depressive Illnesses: Drugs

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had about the potential adverse effects of administering  (a) 20mg and  (b) 40mg of Paroxetine to a patient.

Dawn Primarolo: The safety of paroxetine (brand name Seroxat) has been under review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) since first marketing and remains under close review. Paroxetine is licensed in the dose range 10 to 60mg, depending on the indication. The recommended daily dose is 20 mg, with the exception of obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorder for which the recommended daily dose is 40mg. Clinical experience is that some patients not responding to the recommended dose may benefit from having their dose increased. Prescribers have been advised that in the absence of evidence of a benefit from increasing the dose, good practice would be to maintain patients on the lowest efficacious dose.
	Guidance on how to use paroxetine safely and effectively along with information on potential adverse effects is provided in the product information for prescribers, the Summary of Product Characteristics, and in the patient information leaflet which accompanies the medicine. These documents are authorised by the MHRA at the time of licensing and updated through the life of the product as new information on potential adverse effects and benefits emerges.
	Paroxetine belongs to a class of antidepressants known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). The safety profile of the SSRIs is a topic which has been the subject of considerable public interest and scientific debate over recent years. In May 2003, in response to continued public concern, the Government established an expert working group to further investigate the safety of SSRIs, with a particular focus on suicidal behaviour and withdrawal reactions. The conclusions and key findings of the expert group were communicated to health professionals on 6 December 2004 and the supporting evidence base was detailed in the Group's comprehensive report entitled Report of the CSM Expert Working Group on the safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants published on the MHRA website at:
	www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Safetywarningsalertsandrecalls/Safetywarningsandmessagesformedicines/CON1004259
	The publication of the Report was timed to coincide with the publication of guidelines on the treatment of depression by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence. Overall it was concluded that SSRIs are effective medicines in the treatment of depression and anxiety conditions, and that the balance of risks and benefits of all SSRIs in adults remains positive in their licensed indications.

Doctors: Developing Countries

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure that employment by the NHS of doctors trained in the developing world does not adversely affect health care standards in developing countries.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The United Kingdom was the first, and remains the only, developed country to implement and review systematic policies that explicitly prevent the targeting of developing countries in the area of international recruitment. As such, the Department published a code of practice for the 'International Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals' in 2001 and updated it in December 2004.
	The code of practice proscribes the active recruitment of health care professionals from developing countries.

Doctors: Lancashire

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was spent on locums for junior doctors at  (a) Chorley Hospital,  (b) South Ribble Hospital,  (c) Blackburn Royal Infirmary and  (d) Royal Preston Hospital in each of the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many junior doctor posts were unfilled for more than  (a) three months,  (b) six months and  (c) nine months at (i) Chorley Hospital, (ii) South Ribble Hospital, (iii) Blackburn Royal Infirmary and (iv) Royal Preston Hospital, in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many junior doctor posts were unfilled at  (a) Chorley Hospital,  (b) South Ribble Hospital,  (c) Blackburn Royal Infirmary and  (d) Royal Preston Hospital on the most recent date for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	This information is not collected centrally. These are local matters which are the responsibility of the relevant national health service trusts concerned. Information relating to the Chorley and South Ribble Hospital can be obtained from the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and for the Royal Blackburn Hospital from the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to prevent the spread of extreme drug resistant tuberculosis.

Dawn Primarolo: Prevention of the emergence and spread of any type of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is being addressed as part of the DOH's overall strategy to improve TB prevention and control through 'Stopping Tuberculosis in England: An Action plan from the Chief Medical Officer' (published in October 2004). As well as improvements to public health surveillance systems, this critically requires fast and comprehensive detection of cases, rapid identification of drug resistance if it exists and good clinical management including measures to ensure treatment is both appropriate and completed by the patient. Patients with drug-resistant strains of TB are treated by appropriate multiple drug therapy for a minimum of six months which also helps public health control by breaking the cycle of TB transmission from infectious patients.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on the treatment and diagnosis of TB published in March 2006 includes specific guidance on treatment and rapid contact tracing of people in contact with any type of drug resistant TB. The Department's TB toolkit (published in June 2007) aims to help commissioners and TB service providers implement the action plan in line with the NICE guideline.
	NICE recommends that if a risk assessment suggests a patient has multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB, rapid diagnostic tests should be conducted for rifampicin resistance. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) reference laboratory service identifies TB cultures from national health service patients in England and determines if they are drug resistant. The selection of appropriate second line drugs for the clinical treatment of MDR TB and extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB is determined by the HPA National Mycobacterium Reference Unit (MRU), which has recently developed newer and faster methods for drug susceptibility testing. The HPA MRU also carries out DNA fingerprinting on drug resistant TB strains in England to help determine patterns of transmission and is working with the World Health Organization on the surveillance of XDR TB.

Drugs: Advisory Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on advertising the national drugs helpline in each year since its inception.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Drugs Helpline ceased in England in March 2003 and was replaced by the FRANK helpline in April 2003.
	None of the promotional output for FRANK, including advertising, is exclusively designed to promote the FRANK helpline. All FRANK printed and broadcast output delivers messages to young people while always signposting the FRANK helpline and website.
	The following table provided by the Central Office of Information shows total campaign expenditure and total advertising expenditure for FRANK from the years 2003-04 to 2007-08. The Department did not directly allocate money for campaigns on drug misuse prior to 2003.
	
		
			   million 
			   Total campaign expenditure  Expenditure on advertising only 
			 2003-04 4.25 3.7 
			 2004-05 4.3 1.9 
			 2005-06 6.17 1.8 
			 2006-07 9.18 4.57 
			 2007-08 (1)5.85 (1)3.49 
			 (1) Estimated.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of drug addicts who are classified as in treatment.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	Between April 2006 and March 2007 (the latest period for which data are available) 195,000 people received specialist drug treatment.
	This is 130 per cent. more people in treatment than in 1998. This means that the target of doubling the numbers in drug treatment by 2008 has been exceeded by 30 per cent.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of addicts receiving low-dose methadone on prescription who are thought to also be using heroin.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	This data is not collected centrally.
	Low dose methadone is not recommended in national guidance and should not be a feature of local drug treatment systems. Rather than low-dose, clinicians should ensure that the dose prescribed for each individual is appropriate to their needs and in line with the available evidence base. The recently revised National Clinical technological appraisals on substitute prescribing, published January 2007, clearly states that methadone treatment must be optimised to ensure that each patient receives maximum benefit.

Family Planning

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of  (a) adult men,  (b) adult women,  (c) boys aged 16 years or under and  (d) girls aged 16 years or under attended contraception clinics in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  First contacts at community contraceptive clinics by gender and age 1996-97 to 2006-07England 
			Under 16  16-19
			   All ages( 1)  Under 15  15  Total  16-17  18-19  Total  20-24  25-34  35 and over 
			  Females: Number (Thousand)   
			 1996-97 1,191 23 43 66   242 263 371 250 
			 1997-98 1,193 24 42 66   257 257 360 253 
			 1998-99 1,172 23 42 65   260 259 345 244 
			 1999-2000 1,187 25 44 69   273 268 336 242 
			 2000-01 1,189 28 46 74   270 272 330 243 
			 2001-02 1,196 32 48 80   264 279 321 252 
			 2002-03 1,182 33 51 85   267 274 310 247 
			 2003-04 1,186 36 54 91 142 132 274 272 304 246 
			 2004-05 1,162 32 50 82 138 129 267 266 297 250 
			 2005-06(3) 1,152 32 49 80 135 120 255 248 308 261 
			 2006-07 1,132 31 50 80 141 123 264 242 300 247 
			  Females: Rate per 100 resident population( 2)   
			 1996-97 11.7 3.9 14.4 7.5   21.6 17.0 9.6 7.5 
			 1997-98 11.7 4.1 14.5 7.6   22.3 17.4 9.4 7.4 
			 1998-99 11.5 3.9 14.3 7.3   22.0 18.0 9.1 7.0 
			 1999-2000 11.6 4.1 14.9 7.6   23.1 18.7 9.0 6.8 
			 2000-01 11.6 4.6 15.2 8.1   23.2 18.7 9.0 6.6 
			 2001-02 11.6 5.0 15.8 8.6   22.4 18.7 8.9 6.8 
			 2002-03 11.4 5.3 16.5 9.0   22.1 18.1 8.8 6.5 
			 2003-04 11.4 5.8 17.1 9.6 22.9 21.5 22.2 17.6 8.9 6.4 
			 2004-05 11.2 5.0 15.8 8.6 21.7 20.4 21.1 16.9 8.8 6.4 
			 2005-06(3) 10.3 4.9 15.2 8.3 20.9 18.7 19.8 15.4 9.1 6.7 
			 2006-07 10.1 4.9 15.4 8.5 22.0 18.9 20.4 14.7 8.9 6.3 
			  Males: Number (Thousand)   
			 1996-97 79  
			 1997-98 79  
			 1998-99 81  
			 1999-2000 84  
			 2000-01 85  
			 2001-02 92  
			 2002-03 93  
			 2003-04 104 13 11 24 18 12 30 14 15 21 
			 2004-05 99 11 9 20 19 12 31 14 14 20 
			 2005-06(3) 97 10 9 19 20 12 32 14 13 19 
			 2006-07 117 11 10 21 30 15 46 16 14 21 
			  Males: Rate per 100 resident population( 2)   
			 2003-04 1.0 2.1 3.2 2.4 2.7 1.9 2.3 0.9 0.5 0.6 
			 2004-05 0.9 1.6 2.7 2.0 2.8 1.8 2.3 0.9 0.4 0.5 
			 2005-06(3) 0.9 1.5 2.7 1.9 2.9 1.8 2.4 0.8 0.4 0.5 
			 2006-07 1.0 1.6 3.0 2.1 4.4 2.2 3.3 0.9 0.4 0.5 
			 (1) All ages: first contacts with females/males aged 13-44. Under 15, first contacts with females/males aged 13-14. Under 16, first contacts with females/males aged 13-15. 35 and over, first contacts with females/males aged 35-44. (2) Rates per 100 resident population for 1995-96 to 2005-06 calculated using population estimates for mid-1995 to mid-2005 for each equivalent gender and age group. (3) 2005-06 data has been revised.  Source: The Information Centre KT31 return

Female Genital Mutilation

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many victims of female circumcision were treated by the NHS in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of dealing with the results of female circumcision in each such year.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available centrally.

Food: Allergies

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals for the regulation of  (a) the recording and  (b) advice on the use of food allergens by commercial organisations.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 Food allergens are safe food ingredients for the vast majority of people, although approximately 2 per cent. of the United Kingdom's adult population need to avoid certain foods because they may trigger an allergic reaction. All ingredients deliberately added to a pre-packed food already have to be declared on the label. Furthermore, existing food allergen labelling rules ensure that, despite any other food labelling exemptions, the 14 allergenic food ingredients of greatest public health concern across the European Community must always be declared on the label of pre-packed foods.
	The Food Standards Agency has recently issued two best practice guidance documents for food businesses. The Guidance on Allergen Management and Consumer Information is aimed at producers of pre-packed foods to help them eliminate the possible cross-contamination of allergenic ingredients and to decide on appropriate warning labels if this should be unavoidable. The Provision of Allergen Information for Non Pre-packed Foods is intended to help those businesses providing food in restaurants, sandwich bars, delicatessens etc where the food is not pre-packed and it is essential to communicate the presence of any allergenic ingredients in the food, where the customer needs this information. These guidance documents were produced with the help of relevant interested parties (food manufacturers, food retailers, enforcement bodies and consumer organisations).

Food: Labelling

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects his Department's  (a) Healthy Food Code of Good Practice and  (b) evaluation of different food labelling systems to be completed.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government will finalise a Healthy Food Code of Good Practice with industry leaders over the course of 2008. It is designed to be an ongoing partnership with the food industry including manufacturers, retailers, the food service and catering sectors all of which will be challenged to make commitments. The Government's aim is to develop long term partnerships with all parts of industry to drive sustained improvements that make it easier for consumers to make healthier food choices.
	The independent evaluation of front of pack nutrition signposting schemes is expected to be completed by end of 2008.

Food: Labelling

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which retailers have adopted the Food Standards Authority's recommended traffic light colour-coded approach to nutrition labelling; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Currently eight United Kingdom retailers use traffic light front of pack labels; Asda, Budgens/Londis, The Cooperative, Boots, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. This represents more than 40 per cent. by sales of the food retail market in the UK.

Food: Labelling

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential of the Food Standards Agency's guidance on the provision of allergen information for non-prepacked foods to reduce consumer choice.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The guidance was produced by a multi-stakeholder group which included representatives of the allergy charities and thus the views of consumers were taken into account as the guidance was developed.
	Food allergic and food intolerant consumers need information on the allergen content of foods in order to make safe food choices. The primary aim of this guidance is to increase the information available to such consumers and so enable them to be able to reliably choose the food that is safe for them. Without information on the allergenic ingredients used in the food being provided, many allergic consumers are likely to be restricted in their choices.

Food: Supermarkets

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what legislation governs the provision of information by supermarkets in respect of foodstuffs  (a) produced and  (b) processed by them in-house.

Dawn Primarolo: Whether the food stuff is produced in-house by the supermarket, or manufactured independently, the information accompanying the food is governed by the Food Labelling Regulations (1996), as amended. These regulations also cover nutrition labelling. There are further regulations covering specific labelling on different commodities, such as honey or meat products.

Genetically Modified Organisms: Animal Feed

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on future supplies of GM free protein ingredients for animal feed.

Dawn Primarolo: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for the safety of feed material and feed products that enter the food chain and does not therefore undertake research concerning the future supply of particular feed (or food) commodities. Materials derived from genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) cannot be used or marketed as feed or food unless the GMO in question has been assessed as being safe, and has been specifically authorised by the European Union under the relevant legislation. The FSA has commissioned, and is funding, research which underpins the safety assessment of GM food and feed.

Health

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what key steps the Government plan to take on public health in the next three years.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are taking forward and building on commitments to improve people's health given in the White Paper Choosing Health:making healthy choices easier (2004). This includes developing and implementing key strategies on tackling obesity, smoking cessation, alcohol harm, and sexually transmitted infections. They are also addressing the poorest groups and communities through their programme to reduce health inequalities, which is a priority for the national health service and local government in 2008-09.

Health Services: Children in Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of looked after children in each local authority area received an optical check on an annual basis in the latest period for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 16 January 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	Improving the health and wellbeing of looked after children is of paramount importance. Children in care are more likely to experience health problems, particularly mental health problems, than their peers and it is important that more is done to meet their needs.
	Our White Paper Care Matters: Time for Change set out how this is a priority for the Government. It outlined a strong package of measures intended to ensure that we improve health outcomes for this vulnerable group of young people, including by ensuring better joint working between local authorities and health care bodies. For the first time guidance on promoting the health of looked after children will be put on a statutory footing for both local authorities and health bodies.
	The available information about the health care of looked after children has been placed in the House Libraries.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish full details of the responses to his Department's consultation on proposals to excluded overseas visitors from eligibility to free NHS primary medical services.

Dawn Primarolo: Publication of the full responses to the 2004 consultation Proposals to Exclude Overseas Visitors from Eligibility to Free NHS Primary Medical Services will form part of the publication of a further consultation document that will result from the Review of Access to the NHS by foreign nationals when it is completed.

Hepatitis C

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he made to the Health Protection Agency laboratory reports of hepatitis C infection in the third quarter of 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) published data on reported laboratory diagnoses of hepatitis C for July to September 2007 (third quarter) in Health Protection Report (volume 2 number 4) on 25 January 2008. The data, which are provisional, showed an apparent drop in the number of laboratory diagnoses reported in that quarter compared to the previous two quarters of 2007.
	The Department understands from the HPA that a large number of diagnoses were incorrectly allocated to the under one-year age group category and were therefore omitted from the published data. Laboratory reports in cases aged under one year are excluded from the published data because they may indicate the presence of passively acquired maternal antibodies.
	Revisions are currently being made to the third quarter figures. Revised data will be published in the Health Protection Report when the fourth quarter's data are available later this year.

Hepatitis C

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the Written Declaration of the European Parliament on hepatitis C; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 February 2008
	We have not received any representations about the European Parliament's written declaration on hepatitis C.

HIV Infection

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed as HIV positive in  (a) England,  (b) the north east,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last 10 years in each age group; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information available is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Area of first United Kingdom HIV diagnosis  Year of first UK HIV diagnosis 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  England   
			 0-14 82 101 74 101 101 124 143 141 111 95 
			 15-24 254 244 289 366 499 634 755 792 822 702 
			 25-34 1,158 1,201 1,272 1,631 2,194 2,569 3,028 2,928 2,855 2,649 
			 35-44 695 757 911 1,038 1,414 1,868 2,156 2,207 2,213 2,126 
			 45-54 244 237 255 358 445 540 590 723 795 729 
			 55+ 108 119 139 167 184 203 244 250 319 294 
			 England sub total 2,541 2,659 2,940 3,661 4,837 5,938 6,916 7,041 7,115 6,595 
			
			  North east region   
			 0-14 0 0 0 5 5 5 5 6 5 5 
			 15-24 5 5 5 8 9 13 25 18 25 19 
			 25-34 15 11 11 13 21 36 59 55 47 40 
			 35-44 6 7 8 11 18 31 39 36 50 38 
			 45-54 8 0 5 3 4 14 17 21 17 18 
			 55+ 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 14 7 
			 North east sub total(1) 35-38 22 30-33 38 55 98 146-149 137-140 154-157 123-126 
			
			  Tees health authority (including Tees Valley, Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland)  
			 0-14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  
			 15-24 5 0 0 5 5 5 7 6 7 5 
			 25-34 5 5 0 5 6 10 12 9 8 8 
			 35-44 0 0 5 5 5 6 6 7 10 9 
			 45-54 5 0 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 
			 55+ 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 5 6 5 
			 Tees sub total(1) 5 5 3 10 14 22 30 25 32-35 27 
			 (1) Ranges are provided where one or more cells have a count under five. This is done to remove the possibility of deductive disclosure of an individual's identity.  Notes: 1. Cumulative data are as reported by the end of June 2007. Numbers will rise as further reports are received (particularly for more recent years). 2. HPA has provided for its north east region, which is coterminous with the Government office for the north east. 3. Data has been provided for the former Tees district health authority, as HPA do not have data for Tees Valley, Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland. 4. HPA do not provide by data by age because of the risk of deductive exposure of an individual's identity. Data have been provided by age groups. Sub-totals show ranges where one or more cells have a count of under five in order to reduce the risk of deductive disclosure. 5. Data will include many individuals who have been infected with HIV outside the UK, but who have been subsequently diagnosed in the UK.  Source:  Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Incontinence: Medical Equipment

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how the weight range of 751-1000g in Annex A1 of Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances and related services to primary care was determined;
	(2)  whether his Department has undertaken a disability impact assessment of the proposed changes to Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

Dawn Primarolo: The weight range referred to in Annex A of the consultation Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliancesand related servicesto Primary Care. Revised Proposals was determined using a sample of data provided by the Prescriptions Pricing Division of the NHS Business Services Authority which was used to:
	estimate the average weight of an item within a prescription; and
	estimate the average weight of a prescription, assuming that a prescription has an average of 2.2 items in it.
	The review of Part IX of the Drug tariff in relation to stoma and incontinence appliances is ongoing. The Department is preparing an Equality Impact Assessment and this will be published. All parties will have an opportunity to comment on it.

Kidney Patients: Health Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many strategic health authorities provided regional dialysis capacity plans to his Department by 5 February 2008; what his estimate is of the demand for dialysis capacity in 2008-09, in each strategic health authority; and what changes in capacity he will propose in 2008-09, for each strategic health authority.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	As of 5 February 2008, three strategic health authorities (SHAs) have provided dialysis capacity plans to the Department. Projected growth in demand for renal replacement therapy is set out in the National Service Framework (NSF) for Renal Services. It is predicted that the number of patients requiring renal replacement therapy will rise to around 45,000 over the 10 years ending in 2014. The NSF modelling was undertaken at a national level and the Department does not have dialysis demand projections broken down by SHA area.
	It is for primary care trusts as commissioners of renal services, in collaboration with their specialised commissioning groups (SCG), to meet their current population's dialysis needs and have robust expansion plans to meeting rising demand. The Department highlighted the need for SCGs to pay particular attention to areas where significant increases in demand are likely to lead to pressure on services in the NHS Operating Framework for 2008-09 and renal replacement therapies were cited as such an example.

Leukaemia: Drugs

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to instruct NHS commissioners in England to adhere to the guidance produced by the Scottish Medicines Consortium on Dasatinib for the treatment of imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia, pending the publication of its appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence;
	(2)  when he expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to issue guidance on (a) Dasatinib and (b) Nilotinib for imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia;
	(3)  if he will instruct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to appraise  (a) Dasatinib and  (b) Nilotinib for the treatment of imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia through the single technology appraisal process.

Dawn Primarolo: Ministers made a minded referral of dasatinib and nilotinib for the treatment of imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in October 2007. NICE'S consultation on the remit and scope of this appraisal closed on 28 January 2008. It is currently proposed that these two products be appraised together so that the national health service has a single source of advice, but feedback on the results of this consultation is awaited. Ministers will make a final decision on the referral of these topics following receipts of a report back from NICE'S consultation.
	Good practice guidance published by the Department in December 2006 highlights Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) guidance as one source on which local NHS organisations can draw in making decisions on the use of specific drugs where NICE guidance is not available. We have no plans to mandate the adoption of SMC guidance by the NHS in England.

Malnutrition: European Union

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions  (a) he and  (b) his Ministers have had with members of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Configuration of the Council of the European Union on the subject of undernutrition across the EU.

Dawn Primarolo: The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council has previously discussed the issue of nutrition, within the context of promoting positive health determinants and physical activity across the member states. On 31 May 2007, the Council adopted conclusions on the strengthening of health promotion and disease prevention by means of balanced nutrition and sufficient physical activity. Subsequently, on 6 December 2007, the Council adopted conclusions in response to the Commission's White Paper on A strategy for Europe on Nutrition.

NHS: Allowances

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 346W, on NHS: allowances, which NHS job descriptions are affected by the decision to increase certain national mileage allowances on an interim basis.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 No job descriptions are affected by the decision to increase certain national mileage allowances on an interim basis. Mileage allowances apply to all national health service employed staff who use a car in connection with their official duties of employment.

NHS: Allowances

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS employees received mileage allowance in the last 12 months.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	 The Department does not collect this information centrally.

NHS: Allowances

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NHS Staff Council will come to a decision on the proposals scheduled to be presented to it on 11 March 2008 by the sub group reviewing NHS staff mileage allowances.

Ann Keen: holding answer 18 February 2008
	This is a matter for the NHS Staff Council.

NHS: Drugs

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2236W, on NHS drugs, how many representations he received; and when the classification will be revisited.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department has not received any representations since 24 January 2008.
	The classification will be revisited when the responses to the consultation have been analysed.

NHS: Research

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government have taken to improve research conducted by the NHS since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government's aim is to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world for health research, development and innovation; to ensure that the national health service is equipped and able to make a key contribution to that end; and to realise the potential of the NHS to support research that improves national health and increases national wealth.
	The Government's strategy for health research Best Research for Best Health, published in January 2006 following widespread consultation, is creating a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals working in world-class facilities, and leading-edge research is conducted, focussing on the needs of patients and the public. Copies of the strategy document are available in the Library.
	Details of the progress made with implementation of the strategy are set out in the progress report 'Transforming Health Research: the first two years' published on 17 January. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.
	These reforms are underpinned by increases in Government funding. Total Government investment in health research will reach 1.7 billion by 2010-11, an increase of over 290 million in the three year period covered by the 2007 comprehensive spending review. Almost 1 billion of this total will be spent by the Department's National Institute of Health Research.

Orthopaedics: Fees and Charges

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on setting a national tariff for specialist orthopaedic treatments; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department is strengthening commissioning arrangements for specialised services following an independent review led by Sir David Carter. To support this direction of travel, we worked with specialised commissioning groups to refine the targeting of specialist top-ups, which are paid in addition to the tariff, for 2008-09. All providers of specialist orthopaedic services are eligible for specialist top-ups.
	Arrangements for the reimbursement of specialist orthopaedic treatments were published as part of the tariff package, and alongside the NHS Operating Framework for 2008-09, in December 2007.
	We continue to work with interested parties to monitor and review these arrangements.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the drugs dispensed for each of the conditions exempted from prescription charges in each of the last three financial years, broken down by primary care trust; and what the projected costs are for each of the next three financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the net ingredient cost of medicines dispensed in the community in England to holders of valid medical exemption certificates, broken down by primary care trust, have been placed in the Library. It is not possible to provide information relating to each of the exempt medical conditions. Projections for the next three financial years are not available.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the costs were of drugs dispensed by prescription in each of the last three financial years, broken down by primary care trust; and what the projected costs are for each of the next three financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed in the community in England, broken down by primary care trust, have been placed in the Library. Projections for the next three financial years are not available.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the costs were of drugs dispensed by free prescription in each of the last three financial years, broken down by primary care trust; and what the projected costs are for each of the next three financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed free of charge in the community in England, broken down by primary care trust, have been placed in the Library. Projections for the next three financial years are not available.

Prostate Cancer

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of cases of early prostate cancer were treated in each of the last five years with  (a) surgery,  (b) radiotherapy,  (c) hormone therapy and  (d) other treatments.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 19 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what percentage of cases of early prostate cancer have been treated in each of the last five years with (a) surgery, (b) radiotherapy, (c) hormone therapy and (d) other treatments. (184260)
	The statistics relate to all cases of prostate cancer since the recording of stage in the cancer register cannot provide nationally comparable data on early prostate cancer.
	The latest year for which data are available is 2005. The table below shows, for 2001-2005, the percentage of newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer receiving specific treatments. In 45 per cent. of prostate cancer cases in the national cancer registry database, either no treatment information was recorded or patients were recorded as having had no treatment.
	
		
			  Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of prostate( 1)  cancer by treatment( 2) , England and Wales, 2001-05 
			  Percentage receiving treatment( 3) 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Chemotherapy 1 1 1 4 3 
			 Hormone therapy 31 29 27 25 25 
			 Radiotherapy 16 14 17 16 15 
			 Surgery 25 24 25 23 24 
			 Other 1 1 1 1 1 
			 (1) Prostate cancer is coded to C61 in the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) (2) More than one type of treatment was recorded for some cases. (3) Percentage of all prostate cancer patients  Source: Office for National Statistics

Respite Care: Children

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on respite care for children with disabilities from  (a) the public purse and  (b) voluntary contributions in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department does not currently collect or hold this information. The Department of Health currently collects data on expenditure on foster and residential care, although it cannot currently be disaggregated to give expenditure on respite care alone However, from 2008-09, my Department will take the lead in collecting this data, which will include information on local authority expenditure on short breaks for disabled children. The Government are investing significant additional resources into improving services for disabled children, as part of the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme, and seeking to improve the collection of data locally to enable better planning and monitoring of services.

Tattooing

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people admitted  (a) to NHS accident and emergency departments and  (b) for NHS plastic surgery as a result of tattooing and piercing procedures in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by strategic health authority.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested about national health service plastic surgery is not collected centrally. In relation to the information requested about NHS accident and emergency admissions, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her on 5 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1087W.

Transplant Surgery: Ethics

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration his Department has given to the ethical implications of face transplants; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Clinicians need to be sure that any procedure is safe and that the patient is fully informed of any risks or limitations, in accordance with good professional practice, and in line with General Medical Council guidance. Necessary consent arrangements and tissue matching would need to be in order, as for any other type of transplant. If the procedure is being carried out in the context of research, it would need the approval of the local Research Ethics Committee.
	In the particular case of a face transplant, in addition to ethical approval, doctors may need to get agreement from the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee which is part of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. The Royal College of Surgeons have now published their report which expressed concerns about the substantial risk of acute or chronic rejection but believed that face transplants could go ahead providing certain conditions were met.

Urology: Nurses

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the likely effects of a cap on specialist urology nurse visits, as proposed in the Department of Health consultation on Part IX of the Drug Tariff;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 343W, on incontinence: medical equipment, how much of the 487 million per annum is  (a) Part IX dressings and reagents expenditure,  (b) Part IX stoma expenditure,  (c) Part IX incontinence expenditure and  (d) any other Part IX expenditure; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The proposed cap does not relate to patient visits made by specialist nurses who work for the national health service. While not covered by their terms of service, many appliance contractors do provide services above basic dispensing, such as home delivery and specialist nurse visits.
	One objective of the review is to ensure that such services are provided to the same standard and that remuneration for services is transparent.
	As contractors' nurse visits are not remunerated directly today, the Department has had to make an assessment of the number of specialist nurse visits these contractors provide. This assessment has been based on information provided by those contractors through the consultation process.
	Proposals regarding payment for specialist nurse visits were set out in the consultation entitled Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances - and related services - to Primary Care. Revised Proposals that closed on 28 December 2007.
	The Department is currently analysing these responses. They will help to inform an assessment of how the cap might impact patient care.
	The part IX expenditure that has been under review totals 487 million. A breakdown is shown in the following table.
	
		
			million 
			 Dressings and chemical reagents (Parts IX A  R) 227 
			 Catheters (Part IX A) 58 
			 Incontinence (Part IX B) 40 
			 Stoma appliances (Part IX C) 162 
			 Total Part IX under review 487 
			  Source: Prescriptions Pricing Division, NHS Business Services Authority.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Admiralty House: Empty Property

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1080W, on Admiralty House: empty property, which Minister previously occupied the flat in Admiralty House which was occupied by the former Lord Chancellor before his departure from Ministerial office.

Tom Watson: The flat in Admiralty House which was used by the former Lord Chancellor before his departure from ministerial office was previously occupied by my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Margaret Beckett).

Adult Education: Social Exclusion

Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the role of non-accredited adult learning in tackling social exclusion; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Ministers and civil servants meet regularly as part of the process of policy development and advice. It is not normal practice to disclose details of such meetings. However, Cabinet Office Ministers will continue to work closely with colleagues to ensure that people can lead healthy and fulfilling lives by participating fully in training, education and work.
	The Families at Risk Review demonstrates the importance of parental learning to improve outcomes for all family members and participation in non-accredited learning is often the first step into more formal learning programmes for many disadvantaged adults and parents. Both formal and non-accredited learning have the potential to improve economic opportunity, health and well-being as well as promoting social and community cohesion, helping to improve the life chances of disadvantaged families.

Cabinet Office: Advertising

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of the Cabinet Office's expenditure was on advertising in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Watson: Advertising costs as a percentage of the Cabinet Office's expenditure since 1997-98 can be found in the table as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 1998-99 0.09 
			 1999-2000 0.19 
			 2000-01 0.17 
			 2001-02 1.23 
			 2002-03 0.11 
			 2003-04 0.11 
			 2004-05 0.14 
			 2005-06 0.12 
			 2006-07 0.12 
		
	
	The increase in advertising spend in 2001-02 was due to expenditure incurred by the Office of the E-Envoy (now known as Transformational Government) for the UK Online advertising campaign, encouraging the public to use the internet, and offering help to those wanting to do so.

Civil Service Agencies: Publicity

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  if he will take steps to ensure that the executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies listed in the Central Office of Information's White Book include full details of their press and communication officers;
	(2)  which executive agencies and non-departmental bodies are not listed in the Central Office of Information's White Book.

Tom Watson: The extent of the contract details provided in the White Book is decided by those bodies listed in it.
	The White Book contains entries for 370 organisations, including some non-government organisations that deal with Government.
	Government entries include a range of functions, such as providing information to the public through publications, websites and campaigns around issues such as road safety, public health and smoking.
	A full list of non-departmental public bodies is available on the civil service website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/public/bodies.asp
	and Government Departments and executive agencies are listed on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ministerial_responsibilities.aspx

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) successful and  (b) unsuccessful appeals were made to the Civil Service Appeal board against (i) dismissal, (ii) early retirement, (iii) non-payment of compensation or amount of compensation paid on dismissal, (iv) refusal to allow participation in political activities and (v) forfeiture of superannuation in each year since 1997.

Tom Watson: Statistics for each of the last 10 years can be found in Appendix 3 of each of the Civil Service Appeal Board's annual reports. These are available on the Board's website at http://www.civilserviceappealboard.gov.uk. Copies are also available in the Library of the House.

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of appeals were heard by the Civil Service Appeal Board within 18 weeks of receipt of the appeal in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Watson: Statistics for each of the last 10 years can be found in Appendix 5 of each of the Civil Service Appeal Board's Annual Reports. These are available on the board's website at http://www.civilserviceappealboard.gov.uk. Copies are also available in the Library.

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what percentage of decision letters were sent out by the Civil Service Appeal Board within 24 hours of the relevant hearing in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what percentage of reports of hearings were sent out within 20 days of hearings by the Civil Service Appeal Board in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tom Watson: Statistics for each of the last 10 years can be found in Appendix 5 of the Civil Service Appeal Board's annual reports. These are available on the Board's website at http://www.civilserviceappealboard.gov.uk. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of compensation awards were issued within 15 working days by the Civil Service Appeal Board following receipt of representation on contributory fault in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tom Watson: This information can be found in Appendix 5 of the Civil Service Appeal Board's Annual Reports from 2003-04 when this performance target was introduced. These are available on the board's website at http://www.civilserviceappeal board.gov.uk. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Civil Service Appeal Board

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the value of compensation awards issued by the Civil Service Appeal Board was in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Watson: Statistics for each of the last 10 years can be found in Appendix 4 of the Civil Service Appeal Board's Annual Reports. These are available on the board's website at http://www.civilserviceappeal board.gov.uk. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Contracts

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the  (a) objective and  (b) value was of each contract placed with (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting by his Department and its agencies in each year since 2004-05.

Tom Watson: The information requested for the Cabinet Office with regards to the objective of each contract placed with (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting in each year since 2004-05 is not readily available and may not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.
	The following table shows all expenditure (inclusive of VAT) incurred by the Cabinet Office with (i) Deloitte and Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting for the financial years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.
	
		
			   
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Deloitte and Touche 45,978 309,815 12,485 
			 Ernst and Young 9,400   
			 KPMG 203,309 166,508 222,956 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 239,479 346,648 397,512 
			 PA Consulting 1,088,886 2,023,005 578,374

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Wikipedia entries have been  (a) created and  (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in (x) his Department and (y) its agencies since August 2005.

Tom Watson: The Department does not hold this information.

Departmental Legal Opinion

David Burrowes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 911-2W, on departmental legal opinion, what the cost to the public purse was of external legal advice provided to special advisers in relation to the police investigation into allegations of cash for peerages.

Tom Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Phil Hope) to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) and the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) on 10 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 755-6W. To protect the privacy of the individuals involved, it would not be appropriate to provide further breakdown of the costs.

Departmental Official Residences

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many ministerial residences were available to Cabinet Office Ministers in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Watson: Official residences are assigned to Ministers by the Prime Minister either on grounds of security or in order to allow them to perform better their official duties. Rules on the use of official residences are set out in the Ministerial Code. Official residences which have been allocated to Ministers in the last 10 years are as follows:
	The flats above Numbers 10 and 11 Downing street have traditionally been the residences of the Prime Minster and Chancellor of the Exchequer;
	Flats 1, 2 and 3 in Admiralty House and the Government House in Pimlico have in the past been assigned to a variety of Ministers, which have included the Deputy Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the Defence Secretary and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Government House in Pimlico is no longer required and is in the process of being sold.

Departmental Security

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the  (a) special advisers and  (b) ministerial appointees in possession of a security pass enabling access to his Department's main building in the month prior to the prorogation of Parliament for the 2005 general election.

Tom Watson: It is established practice not to provide details on pass access to Government buildings for security reasons.

Employment Agencies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department paid to recruitment agencies in relation to departmental appointments in each year since 1997.

Tom Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 24 July 2007,  Official Report, column 985W, by the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Gillian Merron).

Government Departments: Data Protection

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information his Department holds on the Civil Service grade of senior information risk owners in each Department.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office does not collate this information.

Inspectorate Review of Government Information Assurance

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library  (a) the full version of the report by Nick Coleman, Inspectorate Review of Government Information Assurance, and  (b) the summary paper of the report.

Tom Watson: Nick Coleman was asked to work on information assurance activity across government to help inform the National Information Assurance Strategy and its implementation. A discussion document was published in June 2007 alongside the national strategy. Since then he has continued his work and the final report has not yet been completed. The current cross-government review on data handling is drawing on his expertise and work to date.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many cases of bullying have been reported in his Department in each of the last 12 months;
	(2)  whether any cases of bullying have been reported in the Prime Minister's Office in the last 12 months.

Tom Watson: The Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office. In order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals, it is standard Government practice not to publish records relating to five or less individuals.

Ministers: Pay

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of Ministers have not taken the maximum ministerial salary entitlement in each of the last 10 years, broken down by Government department.

Tom Watson: holding answer 29 January 2008
	Government lists are available in the Library of the House. The list provides details of Ministers who are unpaid. The detailed information requested in respect of Ministers who have not taken their maximum salary entitlement is not held.

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside vacated the Government house in Pimlico.

Tom Watson: My right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) vacated the Government house in Pimlico in March 2006.

Organogram

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of the organogram of his Department's Strategy Unit.

Tom Watson: An organogram of the Strategy Unit is available on the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/strategy/about/staff.aspx
	I have also placed copies in the Library of the House.

Public Appointments

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which public appointments for which his Department is responsible Sir Alistair Graham has held; and what total annual salary he has received in respect of such appointments in each of the last five financial years.

Tom Watson: Sir Alistair was a member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; a public body sponsored by the Cabinet Office, between 1 October 2003 and 25 April 2004, and was appointed Chairman with effect from 26 April 2004. As a member, Sir Alistair's time commitment was on average two days per month for which he received 180 per day. As chairman, Sir Alistair's time commitment was on average two days per week. From 26 April 2004 to 5 May 2005 he received 380 per day and from 6 May 2005 to 25 April 2007 he received 440 per day.
	His fees were as follows.
	
		
			 Daily rate () 
			 December 2003 to March 2004 720 180 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 28,290 (1)( )380 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 37,840 440 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 44,000 440 
			 (1) Until 1 June 2004 then 440. 
		
	
	Sir Alistair did not claim any fee for April 2007
	There are no records of Sir Alistair having served on any other Cabinet Office public bodies in the last five years.

Sexual Harassment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many complaints of  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in his Department in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Tom Watson: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) In order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals, it is standard Government practice not to publish records relating to five or less individuals.
	 (b) There have been no complaints of sexual discrimination.

Social Exclusion: Elderly

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration he gave to social exclusion among older people in developing  (a) the Reaching Out action plan and  (b) the Government's public service agreement on social exclusion.

Phil Hope: 'Reaching out: an Action Plan on Social Exclusion' and the Socially Excluded Adults PSA do not focus on older people as specific groups, but by embodying the Government's emphasis on prevention and early intervention, aim to help tackle exclusion before it begins.
	The Department for Work and Pension's Later Life PSA; the Social Exclusion Task Force-funded research project analysing social exclusion amongst all age groups and the former Social Exclusion Unit report, 'A Sure Start to Later Life: Ending Inequalities for Older People', all focus more specifically on tackling existing exclusion among older people.